New report highlights significant barriers to reintegration faced by long-term prisoners on release

The report, written by Dr Ailie Rennie, forms part of PRT’s National Lottery Community Fund funded Building Futures programme that, since 2020, has been shedding light on the experiences of individuals serving long-term prison sentences across the UK.

Based on in depth interviews with 20 people now living in the community who have experienced release from a long-term prison sentence, the report provides rare and detailed insights into their experience. Release from long-term imprisonment outlines the complex process of re-entry in the community after a long-term prison sentence, highlighting gaps in pre- and post- release support.

Key findings from the report include:

• Long-term prisoners face a multiplicity of barriers on release, including securing housing, employment and rebuilding relationships. These are exacerbated by time spent inside and the stigma of the conviction.
• Restrictive and often anxiety-inducing ongoing supervision and licence conditions hampered an ability to exercise autonomy and independence.
• Many interviewees felt the persistent social and psychological impacts of lengthy incarceration, often feeling disconnected from a society that has moved on without them.
• A significant lack of consistent, tailored support during reintegration, leaving many participants feeling abandoned and ill-equipped.

The report calls for comprehensive reforms by HMPPS and partner agencies to address these challenges and makes a number of key recommendations for change, including:

• Developing more comprehensive pre-release training with a focus on technology, employment and practical skills.
• Introducing dedicated resettlement teams within prisons to develop robust resettlement plans.
• Improving through-the-gate support, including care packages and immediate post-release assistance.
• Training for probation officers on the specific needs of long-sentence prisoners.
• Reforming recall policies by including an independent judicial review at the point of recall.
• Strengthening partnerships with local agencies to facilitate stable housing and employment opportunities.

The Building Futures programme has defined their long-term cohort to include those men that may spend 10 or more years in prison and eight year or more for women; including all prisoners serving indeterminate sentences. In 2024, people serving indeterminate sentences were released from prison on 1,450 occasions (443 were first release and 1,007 were rereleases). For those serving standard determinate sentences within the Building Futures programme cohort, there were 2,021 releases in 2024.