The Release Project

This project is a research study. The purpose of the research is to explore the expectations, attitudes and beliefs of long term prisoners regarding their upcoming and eventual release. The project will identify areas of concern or hope, or matters that are simply the focus of attention for prisoners coming up to release – whether in terms of their release, resettlement or the future generally.

This research is important as we know that the transition time from prison to release is difficult, particularly for long term prisoners. Findings from this research will be explored in relation to their link with desistance, wellbeing and the resettlement of a released person with a sexual conviction .

It is hoped that the research will be able to inform other agencies and interventions such as treatment programmes, Offender Management, Circles of Support, Structured Assessment of Risk Need and Responsivity (SARNR) writers and the education department, in offering appropriate support to help offenders to prepare for release and to settle into the community as effectively as possible post release.