Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Deferred
Review and update ROTL framework to improve consistent use and public understanding.
Recommendation
We welcome the Minister’s commitment to expanding the use of Release on temporary licence (ROTL). HMPPS should review and update its operational framework to ensure ROTL is used more consistently and proactively across the estate. The Ministry of Justice should also work to address operational barriers and improve public understanding of ROTL’s role in rehabilitation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 96) 84
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response outlines its commitment to enabling prisoner access to higher education and states that the MoJ and DfE will review recommendations on student finance for prisoners, without addressing the recommendation to review and update the operational framework for Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
7 Sentencing Bill: progression measures factsheet - GOV.UK 58. We agree that ROTL is an important tool for rehabilitation and progression, helping prisoners reintegrate and reduce reoffending, for example by allowing suitably risk-assessed prisoners to engage in work with employers in the community. This provides the opportunity to build relationships with employers to boost their job prospects ahead of release. We are, for example, enabling prisoners on ROTL to undertake apprenticeships where they can work and train with an employer and sustain employment with them when released. 59. We keep the policy and operational framework that underpins ROTL under constant review to ensure that it works as effectively as possible in encouraging the rehabilitation of prisoners. As part of this, we are committed to increasing the use of ROTL across the estate in a safe and consistent way, recognising its value in supporting reintegration and readiness for conditional release in the community. 60. As part of this, we are focusing on practical improvements through operational pilots and targeted actions to make ROTL processes quicker, easier, and more consistent. 61. Improving public understanding of ROTL’s role in rehabilitation is important as well as emphasising stringent safeguards that are put in place to ensure the public remain protected. 62. Plans are being developed to improve access to ROTL through pilots for specific cohorts of prisoners in a controlled manner. This would respond to a commitment under the IPP Action Plan 2024/25 (Target 5), which aims to extend ROTL access for IPP prisoners beyond the current pilot at HMP Littlehey. 63. Work is also underway to standardise ROTL paid employment processes across open prisons to improve the time it takes to secure prisoners employment opportunities, improve engagement with employers and increase the number of prisoners accessing and sustaining paid employment whilst in custody and maintaining employment post-release.
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