Prisoners won't be released on Fridays because....

Research has subsequently shown that those freed on Fridays are more likely to reoffend as they have less time to register with a GP, arrange accommodation, or sign up for job support before services shut down for the weekend.

Statistics reveal that approximately 4 in 10 prisoners released on a Friday reoffend within a year, compared with 35 per cent of those freed on a Monday.

The Government is set to back a Private Member's Bill that will change the way a release date is calculated. Under the rule changes, prisoners with severe problems such as mental health, addiction or mobility issues, or who have a long way to travel home, will be released on the Wednesday or Thursday ahead of their Friday release day.

Officials said there would be strict security screening of eligible prisoners.

The release date of a prisoner is calculated in days from the point when they are sentenced. Currently, if the day they are due for release falls on a weekend, they will instead be freed on the previous Friday. The Bill would enable the release date of a prisoner to be brought forward by up to two working days should that release date fall on a Friday or the day preceding a Bank Holiday.

This power would be given to the Secretary of State and delegated to prison governors.

"For those in prison, a Friday release is a dreaded race against the clock to get support in place such as housing, benefits, and healthcare" said Campbell Robb, the chief executive of Nacro the charity that helps rehabilitate ex-prisoners.

Additionally, he commented, "We welcome the Government's commitment to ending Friday releases for the most vulnerable, relieving pressure on services, reducing reoffending and cutting crime."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Changing the rules to ensure prisoners can access the support they need ahead of the weekend will reduce reoffending and make our streets safer."