A recent Home Office study has shown that the resettlement and supervision of 'lifers' is handled so well by the probation service that the vast majority live stable lives after release and do not re-offend. Their role is to help prison staff to prepare prisoners for release by carrying out risk assessments, running group-work programmes, writing reports for the Parole Board and internal boards, and working with the prisoners on issues involving resettlement. Hampshire has pioneered special inter-agency links to ensure that prisoners suffering from mental illness have supervision and care arrangements in place before they leave custody. In some cases they are released earlier than scheduled on condition that they agree to a home curfew. An electronic 'tag' is fitted on a band around their ankle and curfew times are agreed - typically 8pm to 8 am.
Closer supervision is available in special hostel accommodation.
In Hampshire there are three hostels that are owed and run by the probation service to Home Office-approved standards. Copyright National Probation Service - Hampshire 2001.