02 October 2026
This week, the first prisoners impacted by the government's early release scheme will be leaving custody. For them, this is a chance to make a fresh start, free from crime and the circumstances that drove them to it. For our staff, it’s a chance to offer them the help they need.
The first few weeks after leaving prison are vital. People return to their old homes, friends, and lives - for better or for worse. Some of the lucky ones will continue the drug treatment they received in prison, in the community. Some will lose touch with that support as they return to their communities, which can be hundreds of miles from their prison. More fatally, drug tolerance drops when someone is in prison and away from their usual supply - people may take the dose they’re used to, which their body can no longer tolerate.
Our teams who work in prisons know this all too well, and have seen the sad consequences when someone is released not knowing where to go to keep getting help. We know community support works. When someone goes from prison straight to a treatment appointment, they're far less likely to return to prison.
We've seen people get their health back on track, reconnect with family and find somewhere stable to live.
To make sure this happens for as many people as possible, we've produced new harm reduction materials that our teams will give to people as they leave. It covers overdose risk, mixing substances, naloxone, and where to get support. We'll also use it to talk to people about staying safe and to get them linked in with services near where they live.
If the scheme is going to work, community services have to be part of the plan from the start. Drug and alcohol services, housing and probation are where people will get the support they need to stay well and build a life in their community. With thousands more people being released over the coming months, it's vital these community services continue to get the support and resources they need to make this scheme a success.
I'm really grateful to our teams, who put so much into supporting people as they leave prison. It's important work. We know that when people get support from the day they're released, it can make a lasting difference to their lives.
Karen Ratcliff is National Criminal Justice Lead for WithYou, a charity supporting people experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol and mental health.