Bill backed by Big Issue founder allowing prisoners to be released a day early to access essential services to be passed into law

The Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill, a Private Members Bill presented by Simon Fell MP and backed by the founder of the Big Issue, Lord Bird, has received Royal Assent.

Currently, prisoners released on a Friday have just a few hours to secure a bed for the night, but this new law will see them free to go up to two days early, giving them precious time to get set up for a life on the outside. 

With many essential support services, such as local authority housing, substance misuse support or mental health services closed at weekends and bank holidays, those released on a Friday face an extra set back that could leave them homeless their first night on the outside. This new law will ensure they have the best chance to access the services that will help their transition to life on the outside. 

The Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill will allow an offender’s release date to be brought forward by up to two days if it falls on a Friday or the day before a bank or public holiday.

By removing the barriers that a Friday release can bring, it can ensure that custody-leavers have a better chance to access the support they need to reintegrate into the community, not only helping them to get the support they need but also reducing the chance of recidivism.

Around a third of all prisoners are released on a Friday, with the reoffending rate for adults released on a Friday is higher than for any other day of the week. Former prisoners living in safe accommodation are around 50 per cent less likely to re-offend. 

Brought to parliament by Tory MP Simon Fell, the government has backed the bill, saying it will lead to “hundreds of crimes [being] prevented in boost to public safety”.

Lord Bird, founder of the Big Issue and crossbench peer, said: “This Bill will help a significant number of people leave prison without being vulnerable because they leave on a day, not a Friday, when support services are available to see people over the weekend. With a third of people leaving prison without accommodation and work or financial support, someone becoming homeless on release is a real possibility. This Bill feeds into part of my preventative agenda, so that people leaving prison are more likely to be prevented from getting back into trouble because there is a safety net for them in those crucial days following being de-institutionalised.

“But my focus on eradicating poverty doesn’t stop there. I am now working on a new Bill for the next Parliament, a Ministry of Poverty Bill, which is about putting poverty at the top of the agenda, rather than have it ineptly dealt with in a piecemeal way. Having a Ministry of Poverty would allow for a focused and comprehensive approach to preventing and eradicating poverty. The silo system of Government departments doesn’t work completely, but even if it only achieved 50% of its brief, imagine getting rid of 50% of poverty? Wouldn’t that be a kick in the right direction?”

Simon Fell, Conservative MP for Barrow-in-Furness, said: “This Bill makes a small change in the law that will deliver a huge difference to the lives of those released from prison, cut reoffending rates, reduce the pressure on prisons, and cut levels of crime. It’s been my pleasure to work with the MoJ, brilliant charities like NACRO, and prisoners themselves, to secure passage of the Bill. I’m delighted that we’ve got it over the line and can finally end the cycle of Friday releases that help absolutely no one.”

People with convictions already face a host of barriers when seeking to rejoin society after time in prison, including prejudice from potential employers who can withdraw a job offer if the application has a criminal record. 

However, many companies are starting to become more aware of the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce with a range of experiences and backgrounds.

For information on Lord Bird’s Big Futures campaign, aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations, and to sign the open letter visit, bigissue.com/campaigns/big-futures/