ROTL: what’s happening? – July 2014
There have been plans to review ROTL for a while and this was happening before the recent publicity regarding absconds from ROTL and open prisons. Although there have been negative stories in the press, the facts show the overall success of the use of ROTL. The Prison Governors’ Association has gathered information to show that, of the 485,000 ROTL days in 2012, the failure rate for a further offence being committed was 5 in 100,000 or 0.005%.
There have been plans to review ROTL for a while and this was happening before the recent publicity regarding absconds from ROTL and open prisons. Although there have been negative stories in the press, the facts show the overall success of the use of ROTL. The Prison Governors’ Association has gathered information to show that, of the 485,000 ROTL days in 2012, the failure rate for a further offence being committed was 5 in 100,000 or 0.005%. The Prison Service is aware that ROTL is important. It is particularly crucial for people who have served long sentences. The opportunity to experience open conditions and temporary release in the community are an essential part of rehabilitation. It enables people to gain skills and experience in a relevant setting and helps them to lead a law abiding life on release.
It has always been the case that people applying for ROTL and open conditions are subject to a thorough risk assessment. It has never been an “automatic right” or a mandatory part of a sentence.
We know many companies such as Timpsons and National Grid employ people on ROTL. Many go on to work full time for these organisations. We would like to see more done to encourage other employers to follow their lead so that more people leaving prison have a job to go to. Ministry of Justice figures show that just over a quarter (26%) of people entered employment on release from prison in 2012-13. Yet research shows that having a job, somewhere safe to live and family support are the three things that are most likely to cut the risk of reoffending. The ROTL policy is being reviewed and there will be a new PSI issued at some point. So, at the moment, PSO 6300 is still in force. However, there are a few changes that have already come in, ahead of the new PSI. The first is that Resettlement Day or Overnight ROTL has to be for a specific resettlement purpose. This must be linked to your sentence plan and/or resettlement goals. ROTL that was already agreed may continue, as long as it is clear that it is for a purpose linked to your sentence plan. This means that prison staff will review all ROTL to make sure it is in line with the sentence plan. ROTL for a town visit will not be authorised.
Another change is that if you are a lifer or IPP and in a closed prison (category C) you can no longer get restricted Resettlement or Overnight ROTL. Also, if you are in a closed prison and have absconded, failed to return from ROTL, committed an offence on ROTL, or tried to escape on your current sentence, you can only get ROTL or move to an open prison in exceptional circumstances. We don’t know what these are yet but hope the information will be out soon.
If you have been approved for open conditions but your transfer has not yet taken place, the interim guidance is that you will remain in closed conditions until further notice. There will be more detail when the new guidance comes out. It may take longer to move to an open prison at the moment, whatever your situation.
from insidetime issue July 2014
