Release of Prisoners Convicted of Offences Against Children

When a prisoner convicted of offences against a child is to be released at the end of her/his sentence the Director of Children’s Services and the local probation office must, prior to the release date, be informed by the prison probation officer and the Public Protection Unit in the prison.

When a prisoner convicted of offences against a child is being considered for parole or is to be released from custody on a temporary basis, the prison probation officer/the Public Protection Unit in the prison must, in writing inform the Director of Children’s Services of the area where the prisoner is expected to reside on release, with a copy sent to the local probation office for the area concerned.

Where the prisoner is being considered for parole, the prison probation officer / Public Protection Unit in the prison must request comments from the Director of Children’s Services on the prisoner’s release with particular reference to the effects which release could have upon any children at the address at which the prisoner is expected to live.

Probation staff must interview those living at the address to assess the home circumstances and, if appropriate authorise the provision of accommodation to the prisoner.

Depending on the risk involved, probation staff may conduct a home visit jointly with the police.

The significance of the relevant offence(s) for any child living or likely to visit the address must be established and Children’s Social Care informed.

For any child identified by the probation officer as either living or likely to visit the address, the social worker must undertake an assessment of potential risk in relation to the release of the prisoner.

Children’s Social Care must identify in writing any child protection issues arising from the proposed release of a prisoner to a specified address and indicate any action that they may need to undertake to protect the child(ren) in the household.

The probation officer for the local area must share her/his report with the relevant Children’s Social Care.

If the prisoner is to be released to an address with a child(ren), a Section 47 Enquiry must be initiated.