Early release scheme support
Understanding the Sentencing Act 2026 changes* and accessing support
*Otherwise known as the early release scheme
The Government is introducing changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026.
The Sentencing Act 2026 makes changes to the amount of time some offenders spend in prison before being released to serve the rest of their sentence on licence.
A new three-stage approach, known as the Progression Model, will be introduced for offenders serving a Standard Determinate Sentence - a fixed-term prison sentence with a definite end date, split between time served in custody and time supervised in the community on licence.
An offender’s sentence will have three stages:
Stage 1: Prison
Stage 2: Intensive supervision in the community
Stage 3: Final period on licence in the community
The Progression Model changes the amount of time offenders will spend in prison (stage 1) before entering intensive supervision in the community (stage 2).
All offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision. Probation practitioners have discretion to apply appropriate licence conditions where necessary and proportionate.
Victims will be notified if an offender will be released early under the Progression Model.
The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders. For a list of offences that this model does not apply to visit Sentencing Act offence exclusions.
More information about the Progression Model, what is changing, how victims can be informed and what support is available can be found on the GOV.UK website.
How to access support
If you have been affected by these changes or are worried about the release of offenders, services are available to support you.
The Government has set up a dedicated Offender Release Helpline. Run by Victim Support, the Helpline will provide information, emotional and practical support, and help to access other services for people affected by, or worried about, the release of an offender.
The Helpline is there to:
- Listen to victims and survivors’ concerns and offer emotional support
- Discuss wellbeing, safety and possible next steps
- Provide practical guidance and help callers understand what the changes may mean
- Explain how someone may be able to seek further information
- Help people access ongoing or specialist support where appropriate
You can contact the Helpline on 0808 168 9280. Opening hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00 (excluding bank holidays).
Emotional support is also available from Victims First for people affected by the changes living in Thames Valley (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes).
You can contact us via phone on 0300 1234 148 during our opening hours - Monday-Thursday - 9am to 6pm and Friday - 9am to 4.30pm (excluding bank holidays).
Or via live chat on our website 24/7.
Please note that neither the Offender Release Helpline nor Victims First will be able to advise whether a specific offender is affected by these changes or provide release dates or information about an individual case.
The Government will be implementing a scheme to contact victims with how they can request information related to their case. For advice on how you can request information yourself, contact the Offender Release Helpline.
FAQs:
Why are prison release arrangements changing?
The Government introduced changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026 as part of a range of measures to ease capacity issues in prisons across England and Wales.
While the changes have been bought in under the Sentencing Act, this approach is often referred to as the early release scheme.
What is the new progression model?
The Progression Model applies where prisoners are serving a Standard Determinate Sentence.
An offender’s sentence will have three stages:
Stage 1: Prison
Stage 2: Intensive supervision in the community
Stage 3: Final period on licence in the community
The Progression Model changes the amount of time offenders will spend in prison (stage 1) before entering intensive supervision in the community (stage 2).
Will every offender’s release date change?
The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders.
For a list of offences that this model does not apply to visit Sentencing Act offence exclusions.
What safeguards will be in place?
Offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.
Offenders who do not adhere to these conditions, may be ‘recalled’ and taken back to prison.
Probation practitioners will also have discretion to apply appropriate licence conditions where necessary and proportionate. These can include:
- prohibition on contacting the victim or their family;
- requirement to reside at a particular address so their location can be monitored and managed as part of their supervision;
- requirement to take alcohol tests;
- prohibition from driving, attending public events, or entering pubs, clubs and bars.
- for some serious sexual and violent offenders, additional restrictions may be imposed, including areas they are prohibited from leaving (restriction zones).
How will victims receive information about release date changes and licence conditions?
Victims of specified serious sexual or violent offences, where an offender receives a prison sentence of 12 months or more, will be notified of any changes to their offender’s release through the Victim Contact Scheme.
The Government will be implementing a new process to enable victims who are not eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme to request information about an offender.
Victims affected by these changes will be identified and, where contact details are available, will be contacted with an explanation of how they can request information about their case.
For advice on how you can request information yourself, contact the Offender Release Helpline.
Can the national helpline give me information about my offender’s release?
Neither the national Offender Release Helpline nor local services, including Victims First, will be able to provide information about individual offenders or specific case details and release dates.
Where can I access support?
If you have been affected by the changes or are worried about the release of an offender, emotional and practical support is available from the Offender Release Helpline - 0808 168 9280. Opening hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00 (excluding bank holidays).
The helpline is for anyone affected by the changes – including victims, witnesses, family members, friends, carers and professionals.
Interpreting services are available for individuals for whom English is not a first language and for people who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.
Emotional support is also available from Victims First.
The crime I experienced happened a long time ago, can I still access support?
Victims can access support regardless of how long ago the crime they experienced happened.
What if the victim is a child or young person?
Children and young people may have questions or worries if they hear that an offender could be released earlier than expected.
If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the child’s victim liaison officer may be able to discuss any concerns you have and explain what information can be shared.
Victim Support (via the Offender Release Helpline) and Victims First can provide emotional support and practical guidance on coping after crime for children, young people and their families.
I am worried for my safety:
Being told that someone may be released earlier than expected can feel unsettling, upsetting or frightening.
If you have concerns about your immediate safety, always call 999.
You can also speak to your Victim Liaison Officer if you have one, and you are not concerned about your immediate safety. They can explain what information is available and discuss any concerns you may have.
You can also contact the Offender Release Helpline or Victims First.
While we cannot discuss the details of your case, we can help you explore your options and provide emotional support and safety planning advice.
Further commonly asked questions and answered are available on the Victim Support website.