Planning for reintegration or release
Prisoners are supported when they move to another separation centre, to mainstream prison locations or to secure health facilities. Resettlement support is provided for release into the community.
24. Prisoners are safe and supported when they move between centres and are deselected, including on release into the community.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- Prisoners being transferred know where they are going and why they are moving. They are able to inform someone of their transfer at the earliest opportunity unless there are security concerns.
- Staff in the receiving centre or prison are thoroughly briefed about prisoners’ risks and needs.
- Prisoners have a care and management plan for their new location.
- Transfer arrangements are appropriate and all property travels with prisoners.
- Prisoners are given the necessary support to prepare for their return to a mainstream prison regime.
- Prisoners being released into the community have access to all resettlement services that are available in the wider prison.
- Appropriate accommodation arrangements for prisoners are made well ahead of release into the community.
- Prisoners at the point of release have access to suitable clothes and bags are available if needed.
- Facilities are available before release into the community to launder clothes and charge mobile phones that have been in storage.
- Prisoners being released into the community receive all their property, including their money, and any grants owed to them.
25. Prisoners are directly involved in developing and reviewing their release plan and receive proactive help to overcome obstacles to successful resettlement.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- Resettlement plans are developed early enough before release to offer prisoners a good range of help and support.
- Prisoners have a comprehensive reintegration or release plan to maximise the likelihood of successful outcomes.
- Prisoners have a named person in the prison or the community who is responsible for supporting their reintegration/release plan.
- Prisoners can easily arrange an appointment with their offender manager in the prison and are able to meet with their offender manager in the community in preparation for release.
- Prisoners are meaningfully engaged in the development and regular reviews of their plans and have opportunities to make choices about their reintegration.
- Prisoners can access a range of community-based agencies prior to release to improve their chances of successful resettlement.
26. Prisoners being released into the community have a robust risk management plan to support them and protect the public from harm.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- When prisoners are likely to be released from custody directly from a separation centre, arrangements are discussed at the earliest opportunity and overseen by the central management committee.
- Community-based offender managers and offender managers in prison work closely together to develop a risk management plan for release, including confirmation of the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) management level.
- Centre staff are aware of plans to manage risk of harm on release and, where relevant, participate in or contribute to multi-agency planning meetings (such as MAPPA).
- Staff make sure that prisoners understand their licence conditions, including their rights and responsibilities.