Request for extension of temporary release at Easter

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A decision made (08.03.06) to approve the extension to temporary release at Easter.

Subject:	Request for extension of Temporary Release at Easter
Decision Reference:	MD-HA-2006-0018	Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?		Report File ref:		TR/Easter/Mar06 HAD/PRI 1
Written Report – Title:	Temporary Release at Easter (2006)	Written report – Author:		Steven Guy-Gibbens Prison Governor
Decision(s): To approve the extension to temporary release at Easter.
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:

Request for extension of temporary release at Easter

H M Prison

La Moye

La Rue Baal

St Brelade

Jersey

JE3 8HQ

Ref: TR/Easter/Mar 06

Senator Wendy Kinnard

Minister for Home Affairs

20 February 2006

TEMPORARY RELEASE AT EASTER (2006)

1. The Purpose of the Report

1.1 The report seeks the Minister’s approval to:

i) extend the period of temporary release permitted at Easter from 2 days to 4 days;

ii) extend this to cover prisoners requesting temporary release to the UK without the need to bring each request to the Minister;

iii) approve up to 4 hours temporary release for any prisoner who currently works outside of the prison unsupervised.

2. The Issue

2.1 The former Home Affairs Committee approved the extension of time for temporary release at Easter in 2005 for the same duration as described above (1.1i and 1.1ii). 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 I do not intend to make changes to the eligibility criteria for temporary release for Easter.

2.4 For information, all of the temporary releases that occurred over the recent Christmas period returned on time without incident.

3. Recommendation

3.1 The proposal is that eligible prisoners will be able to apply for up to 4 days temporary release at Easter (including those requesting to take the period of absence in the UK) or up to 4 hours 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