Understanding the Sentencing Act 2026 changes and accessing support
1. Ministry of Justice - Changes to prison release arrangements
2. Support for victims in Kent and Medway
Changes to prison release arrangements
The following information has been provided by the Ministry of Justice to explain the changes introduced through the Sentencing Act 2026.
The Government is introducing changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026. These changes are intended to help ensure there is enough space in prisons, while making sure there is tough supervision of offenders when they are released to keep victims and the wider public safe.
The Sentencing Act 2026 makes changes to the amount of time some offenders spend in prison before being released to serve the rest of their sentence on licence.
A new three-part model will be introduced for standard determinate sentences called a ‘Progression Model’. Protecting victims remains a priority. All offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to strict licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.
The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders. For a list of offences that this model does not apply to visit sentencing act offence exclusions (opens in new window).
More information about the Progression Model, what is changing, how victims can be informed and what support is available can be found at: A guide for victims about the changes to prison release arrangements – GOV.UK (opens in new window)
How to access support
If you have been affected by these changes or are worried about the release of offenders, local services are available to support you. Find out how to access support below. The information below has been provided by the Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and sets out the support available to people in Kent and Medway.
Support for victims in Kent and Medway
In Kent and Medway, the PCC has made available additional support for people affected by early offender release arrangements. This has been possible through an additional grant from the Ministry of Justice.
The Kent Victims Advocacy and Support Service, delivered by Victim Support will provide an Early Offender Release Victims’ Champion. They will provide dedicated support, helping those impacted feel supported and informed.
The Victims’ Champion can:
- listen to concerns and provide emotional support;
- help those impacted understand information about the criminal justice process;
- speak to relevant organisations to help secure the information needed;
- help consider individual support and safety needs; and
- connect with other services that may be able to help.
To access the Early Offender Release Victims’ Champion call the national helpline on 0808 168 9280.
For general enquiries email [email protected].
Please note: all referrals for support must be made through the national helpline and cannot be accepted by email.
National support
The Ministry of Justice has commissioned Victim Support to provide a dedicated national helpline.
The helpline provides information and support for people affected by early offender release across England and Wales. Specialist Victim Support advisers will listen to concerns, provide general information about the offender release processes, and help people understand what support may be available to them. Advisers can also provide emotional support, practical guidance, an assessment of needs, safety planning, signposting, and referrals to other services where appropriate.
The Offender Release Helpline can be contacted on:
Telephone: 0808 168 9280
Website: Offender Release Helpline homepage - Victim Support
Support for children and young people
Specialist support is available for children and young people affected by offender release arrangements.
Victim Support's children and young people's practitioners can provide emotional support, information and guidance, help finding other support, and advice for parents, carers, guardians and professionals supporting a child or young person.
This service can be accessed by:
- Telephone: 0808 168 9280. When calling the Offender Release Helpline, choose the option for children and young people's support to speak to the specialist team.
- Online: Find out more about offender release support for children and young people.
Victim Contact Scheme
Some victims may be eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS). It is available to victims of specified serious sexual or violent offences where an offender received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.
Victims who opt into the scheme are assigned a Victim Liaison Officer, who can keep in contact during the offender's sentence, answer questions and provide information about how the justice system works. Victims can also request additional conditions relating to them or their family to be attached to an offender's licence.
If you previously decided not to join the scheme, you can change your mind and make contact at any time.
Contact and further information:
- Email: [email protected].
- Online: Find out more about the Victim Contact Scheme on GOV.UK.
- If you have received contact from someone in prison or are worried about their release, GOV.UK also lists the HM Prison and Probation Service victim helpline on 0300 060 6699 or [email protected].