Extension of Temporary Release at Christmas.

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A decision made (27/10/2006) regarding Request for extension of Temporary Release at Christmas.

Subject:	Request for extension of Temporary Release at Christmas
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2006-0070	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		TR/Christmas/Oct06 HAD/PRI 1
Written Report – Title:	Temporary Release at Christmas (2006)	Written report – Author:		Steven Guy-Gibbens Prison Governor
Decision(s): To approve the extension to temporary release at Christmas.
Reason(s) for decision: The slightly longer period of temporary release allows prisoners to be able to spend time with their families or significant others at a time when they are less likely to be at work or school (this is particularly important for those with children). The ability to permit those who have demonstrated a responsible attitude by working unsupervised outside of the prison to have a short period of time away from the prison will reward their good behaviour and trust.
Action required: Steven Guy-Gibbens, Prison Governor, to arrange for eligible prisoners to be considered in the normal way for this period of temporary release.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 27 October 2006

Extension of Temporary Release at Christmas.

Ref: TR/Christmas/Oct 06

Senator Wendy Kinnard

Minister for Home Affairs

23 October 2006

TEMPORARY RELEASE AT CHRISTMAS (2006)

1. The Purpose of the Report

1.1 The report seeks the Minister’s approval to:

i) extend the maximum period of temporary release permitted at Christmas from 2 days to 6 days for eligible prisoners (those with less than 12 months left to serve);

ii) approve shorter periods for some prisoners outside of this criteria to: a) up to 4 days for those with 15 months or less to serve;

b) up to 2 days (1 overnight) for those with 18 months or less to serve;

c) up to 2 single days for any prisoner who currently works outside of the prison unsupervised;

iii) extend this to cover prisoners requesting temporary release to the UK (or other jurisdiction) without the need to bring each request to the Minister;

iv) those prisoners who will be on TRMS over the Christmas period who can demonstrate closer links with the UK (or other jurisdiction) than Jersey be allowed to travel to an address in that jurisdiction for a maximum of 4 days/5 nights.

2. The Issue

2.1 The former Home Affairs Committee approved the extension of time for temporary release at Christmas in 2004 and 2005 for the same duration as described above. The slightly longer period of temporary release allows prisoners to be able to spend time with their families or significant others at a time when they are less likely to be at work or school (this is particularly important for those with children).

2.2 The ability to permit those who have demonstrated a responsible attitude by working unsupervised outside of the prison to have a short period of time away from the prison will reward their good behaviour and trust.

2.3 All prisoners who apply for this period of temporary release will be subject to the normal rigorous risk assessment process involving the Temporary Release Panel.

3. Recommendation

3.1 The proposal is that eligible prisoners will be able to apply for up to 6 days temporary release at Christmas (including those requesting to take the period of absence in the UK) or up to 2 days if they currently work outside of the prison unsupervised but are not otherwise in an eligible group.

3.2 The Minister is asked to approve this extension to temporary release.

Steven Guy-Gibbens

Governor