Preparation for release or transfer

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Provision to help detainees manage their finances and maintain or find housing takes account of the impact that their detention and loss of salary has on their dependants.
• Financial and housing support services use the expertise of partner agencies and service charities.
• Newly arrived detainees receive immediate help and advice to manage existing rental agreements, mortgage payments or to retain service accommodation.
• Detainees can access financial advice about the immediate and long-term consequences of detention and possible imprisonment.
• Detainees have ongoing access to debt and money management advice.
• Detainees with gambling issues receive specialist support.
• Subject to a risk assessment and any public protection concerns, detainees can manage their finances using the internet.
• Housing advisors are suitably trained and have the level of knowledge required to effectively address the wide range of accommodation issues facing detainees.
• There are good links with national housing providers.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Decisions about whether to discharge or retain a detainee in the services are made far enough ahead of release to allow for good release planning.
• Each detainee has a resettlement plan which identifies their outstanding needs far enough ahead of release to allow effective support to be implemented. The plan is reviewed as release approaches to assess progress in meeting these needs.
• Resettlement plans use the expertise of partner agencies and service charities.
• Detainees understand and are meaningfully engaged in their resettlement plans.
• All necessary work required to support a detainee’s release is completed in good time for it.
• Information about risk, vulnerability, health or safeguarding is communicated confidentially to relevant agencies and support organisations.
• Particular attention is given to releasing vulnerable detainees and children safely.
• Resettlement outcomes for detainees are monitored after their release to understand and improve the effectiveness of provision.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees can speak about their return to work with staff from their parent unit before release, either in person or by video-calling.
• Prior to release, staff at the establishment inform the parent unit if the detainee requires any ongoing support or has any outstanding needs.
• Detainees already accessing support from partner agencies and service charities can continue to do so when they return to their parent unit.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees have opportunities to practise necessary life skills such as cooking and IT in preparation for independent living.
• Short-term temporary release, both accompanied and unsupervised, helps detainees to prepare for their eventual release, subject to any public protection concerns.
• Detainees have access to specialist services providing advice and information about benefits/pension entitlements and are helped to make claims in advance of release.
• Detainees can arrange an appointment with their local job centre for the day after release.
• Detainees have suitable and sustainable accommodation on release. Those wishing to relocate are helped to do so.
• Foreign national detainees who intend to return to their home country are helped to do so.
• Complex and/or vulnerable detainees are offered a ‘through the gate’ mentor and can meet them before release.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees are provided with information which gives them a clear, realistic understanding of the differences between day-to-day life at the establishment and a prison.
• Detainees are visited by staff from the receiving prison or have contact through video calling.
• Where necessary, additional support is put in place to manage the anxieties felt by detainees awaiting transfer to prison.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Children being discharged from the Armed Forces are always met at the gate by an appropriate adult.
• Facilities are available before release to launder clothes that have been in storage for long periods.
• On release detainees receive all their property.
• Eligible detainees receive discharge grants and money for travel.
• Detainees can make a telephone call and charge their mobile phone before release.
• Detainees have enough civilian clothing to wear on release and, where necessary, are supplied with a suitable bag to carry their belongings.
• On release detainees are given information about sources of help and support in the community in a format and language they understand.
• Unless they are being collected or have their own transport, detainees are taken to the nearest railway or bus station.