Why are high-risk offenders set to be released early?

High-risk offenders could reportedly be released early from secure government-approved hostels. Shortly before before the election in July, the Ministry of Justice reduced the typical period people spend in an ‘Approved Premises’ from 12 weeks to eight. But what are Approved Premises, and does this matter?

‘Approved Premises’ – or ‘APs’ – are a little-known part of the justice system. We should be more aware of them, since they’re badly, badly damaged. They exist to house people who have been released from prison but are considered to be ‘high-risk ex-offenders’. APs are also used when prisoners approaching release are granted ‘home leave’, but either don’t have a home to go to, or Probation have decided they aren’t comfortable with sending them to a family home.

The theory is that people who pose a high risk of further offending are required to live in supervised housing, with a curfew, as well as regular drug and alcohol testing.