Discretionary Friday/Pre-Bank Holiday Release Scheme Policy Framework
Operational guidance for prison and probation staff on the implementation of the Discretionary Friday/Pre-Bank Holiday Release Scheme.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
The Policy Framework sets out the rules, duties and operational guidance for all staff in prisons, young offenders’ institutions and the youth custody estate, as well as probation practitioners, to help them implement the Discretionary Friday/Pre-Bank Holiday Release Scheme.
This policy enables prisoners to be released up to two days earlier, where a release date falls on a Friday or before a bank holiday, to support their resettlement. This will allow people leaving prison additional time to access resettlement support services and appointments ahead of the reduced availability or closure of services during the weekend or a bank/public holiday and will therefore help to reduce their risk of reoffending.
The policy applies to adult offenders, as well as children and young people held in the youth custody estate. Guidance on applying the scheme to the youth estate is clearly outlined in the framework.
Updates to this page
Published 22 November 2023Last updated 8 December 2023 + show all updates
-
Framework updated.
-
First published.