Short-term prisoner release

Release arrangements

The new rules only change the automatic release point for people serving short-term sentences. It does not change the way prisoners are released.

Most prisoners serving short-term sentences will be released automatically following either 30% or 50% of their sentence. Their release is also not subject to any conditions such as supervision.

Prisoners sentenced for an offence of 6 months or more and are subject to the Sex Offender Notification Requirements are required to be released on licence after serving 50% of their sentence which means their release will be subject to certain conditions.

In some cases, supervision is also included as part of a prisoner’s sentence by the court. A Supervised Release Order comes into force when a person leaves prison and can last up to 12 months.

When the change to automatic early release comes into force on 12 May 2026, some prisoners will be immediately eligible for release.

These prisoners are being  released in groups between May and June 2026 to ensure that services are able to manage a higher than usual number of people being released. Releases will take place on the following days:

• Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 May 2026

• Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 June 2026
• Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June 2026

After 25 June 2026, all eligible prisoners will be released as soon as they have served 30% of their sentence.