What is release on licence?
When someone serves a prison sentence, they often spend the final portion of their term in the community rather than in custody. This is known as being released on licence. The licence sets out what the person must and must not do while they complete the remainder of their sentence outside prison.
Every licence includes standard conditions that apply to all released prisoners. These cover basic requirements such as keeping in touch with your supervising officer, living at an approved address, and not travelling abroad without permission.
Additional conditions can be imposed on top of these standard terms. These might be set by the Parole Board, the prison, or the probation service depending on the circumstances. Extra conditions could include staying away from certain areas, avoiding contact with particular individuals, attending treatment programmes, or being subject to electronic monitoring.
Once released, the person will be supervised by a probation officer. This officer monitors compliance with the licence conditions and provides support to help the person resettle into the community.

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Try our Legal Jargon Translator free, here on this site →How recall works
If someone breaks the terms of their licence, they can be recalled to prison to serve more of their sentence in custody. While the probation service initiates recall procedures, the actual decision is made by the National Offender Management Service on behalf of the Secretary of State for Justice.
Recall does not require a court hearing. It is an administrative process, though the speed and specific procedures can vary depending on individual circumstances. Once the decision is made, a warrant is issued and the police can arrest the person and return them to prison.
There are two main types of recall. Standard recall is used in most cases where there has been a breach of conditions or concerns about risk. Fixed term recall involves a shorter period back in custody, typically 14 days, and is used for lower risk cases where the breach is less serious. The type of recall depends on the original sentence, the nature of the breach, and the assessed level of risk.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Common reasons for being recalled
You do not need to commit a new crime to be recalled. While being charged with or arrested for a further offence can certainly lead to recall, it is not the only trigger.
Recall can happen for a range of reasons, including:
- Failing to keep appointments with your probation officer
- Not living at your approved address
- Entering an area you were told to avoid
- Contacting someone you were forbidden from contacting
- Behaviour that suggests an increased risk of harm to others
- Missing curfew checks if electronic monitoring forms part of your licence conditions
The probation service may also initiate recall if someone's behaviour or circumstances change in a way that raises concerns, even without a specific breach. Where there is an immediate concern about risk to the public, recall can be initiated on the grounds of safety and risk.
What happens after recall
After being recalled, the person will be taken back to prison. They will then receive written reasons for the recall and information about how to challenge the decision if they believe it was wrong.
For standard recalls, the person has the right to have their case reviewed by the Parole Board. The Board will consider whether continued detention is necessary or whether the person can be re-released, possibly with amended licence conditions. Fixed term recalls do not automatically go to the Parole Board unless there has been a previous breach leading to a standard recall.
The time spent back in custody varies. For fixed term recalls, it will be the set period. For standard recalls, release depends on the Parole Board's decision and the remaining time left on the original sentence. Time spent recalled counts towards the overall sentence, but the recall itself can affect future parole decisions.
Anyone facing recall or who has already been recalled can seek legal advice. Prisoners can access support through their solicitor or by contacting organisations that assist people in the justice system. For official guidance on licence conditions and the recall process, visit GOV.UK.
I have been recalled and handing myself in tomorrow.
My probation officer had said it’s a fixed term 28 day recall but a lot of people are telling me that this no longer applies.
Is this true , the recall is what it is but I want to know exactly what I’m dealing with
If you get arrested while on license but you are not charged and are on bail, will you get recall? Also do you have to tell your probation officer straight away that you get arrested or you just wait until you have your appointment with her. Will she or he know about this the moment that you get arrested or not?
What would his rights be on return to prison, is he still entitled to a reception phone call/ visit like he was when he was remanded and later convicted?
I haven't heard anything from him yet and he said this morning at the police station he would phone as soon as he could.
I am getting a little worried as he seemed different, more distant towards me the day after his release ( last Monday) compared to when he was in prison and before. What could be causing this?
Vis-a-vis licence conditions and type of sentence served, because my alleged offence dates to before April 2005, and because I was sentenced under ancient legislation, how does this impact on additional licence conditions, recall, etc.?
I'm currently challenging the lawfulness of said conditions as I believe they violate Article 8. I can find no legislation to support the NPS's current position that additional licence conditions are lawful.
Thank you.
He had 12 weeks to 6 weeks
After he was released he had to attend probation until his licence has finished
He has missed two appointments and he has been recalled
How long will he be in prison for
Will he go to the same prison he was released from for the remaining of his sentence ?
Thankyou
My partner forgot to inform parole that he was in a relationship even if that was one of the conditions of his parole.
Don't know what to do anymore.
He was arrested and remanded in prison last week.If the court finds him guilty will he get a sentence and will they add this onto the years left on licence??Confused and upset
Thanks
He went to court, the charges were not brought but he was taken back to prison and the prison have told him that he has to finish his license (august- 5 moths in total). I have spoken with his probation officer who is happy for the recall to be rescinded. But says the prison parole board need to request the review and a 'Part C' from him. Is there anything I can do to set this in motion or is my son stuck in prison on license for months even though he didn't commit an offence and as such has no real reason to be on recall?- Thanks
Thanks :)
Thank you
A man accused him of hitting him , went to court 5th september and they bailed him ..Until trial date 4th November.
Since then probation recalled him four days after the 1st hearing .
Apparently they done a recall on 7th , he didn't know , but arrested him at home on the 9th.
He didn't get a recall pack ...but signed a piece of paper that they showed him saying it was a standard recall 4wks later.
He has just found out this week that was his recall pack and not expand he had 10 days to appeal as they took all the paper work away
The prison didn't send him to court on 4th Nov for his trial.
The court didn't know he been recalled as not had informed them , the court still thought he was out on bail
The claimant didn't even turn up .
He had good job , which has now gone
And the trial still would Ave went ahead without the claimant
Vital cctv missing ..my son's solicitor was looking to get it thrown out .
New trial 16th Jan
Who should have informed the court he was recalled cause his probation passing the buck saying not them ...
Look forward to some answers thank you
Dee
He has breached his licence conditions but not broken the law, how long will he get? Will he get 28 days or will he have to do the 3 years of his remaining licence ?
HELP!!!
I was released from prison in May 2016 and last week was arrested and charged with a section 39.
I have given full guilt admission - and in court on the 31st October (magistrates)
Is it probable i will be recalled? - My behaviour other than this has been exemplary and I am looking to start a course leading to a degree through the help of probation.
Any advice.
Best
k
His letter the police gave him said it is a standard recall but I am very confused at the conflicting advise on this subject. Advice very much appreciated.
My boyfriend is on license for gbh. A few of his conditions are that he can not have any contact with his ex or his children. This is because he was done for domestic vilonce (pushed her in a bush) she didn't want to press charges but police and cps did any way. I know this correct and there is no other domestic abuse issues as his offender manger has said this is correct. My problem is that he is not allowed to see his kids even though is ex says that she would like him to. Can probation and social workers say he can't without getting a court order
Thanks
My Partner was sentenced to 18 years in prison, he was told he would serve 9 years, However he is innocent and has been wrongly imprisoned, We are going for an appeal, and our solicitors have come up with some excellent information, we are just waiting for an appeal date. What I want to ask is, If we do manage to get the sentenced quashed and him found not guilty. How long does it take for him to be released? I understand that there would possibly be paperwork and protocols to follow.
Also do they compensate wrongly sentenced people?
Thank You
I've today recieved court paperwork for a motoring offence dated 24th may 2015, when I was pulled I was exceeding the 30mph speed limit and clocked at 50mph on the ticket. The court paperwork was filed 1 day before the 6 month time limit, however the paperwork states I'm being charged of driving in excess of a 50mph speed limit, i obviously don't want to plead guilty to this charge because I wasn't breaking this limit as the charge is wrong, any advice is welcome. Thanks
but the condition i am in breach of is that i have to live and reside at the adress stated..
well i'd went to see a girl one night and fell asleep in her arms and woke up in the early hours. probation as well as "i.o.m" found out because i told them and now i'm bieng told i'm looking at a fixed term recall. 28 days."but my officer told me the final decision wasn't up to her and that sh'e let me know!!" this was wednsday.do i go to court? and get to plead my case or is it a one way ticket back to prison?
i had attended ALL 64 appointments in the last 3 months.and i've turned my life around. does falling asleep in a girls arms constitute a re-call!? after all i was always open with them.. it makes me think should i be telling them anything at all. now probation aren't returning my calls and i'm in limbo. please help
This morning he called me from his Holiday and He is worried that the Police would be notified of his departure and he'll be arrested on his return to the UK...are the Police notified when a Sex Offender books and leaves the Country? I'm aware in not offering up this information he's put himself in a very bad position but I'm keen to find out the likelihood of the Police being aware of his Holiday.
Thanks in advance
Please have you any info or advice to put my mind at ease.
he went to court was found innocent on all charges but still hes imprisoned the law stinks in this country
i wish the people who passed these laws got fixed up with ipp and sent to hell for thats what it is hell
mag
Also, can they change the conditions to suddenly be able to do a drug test?
Don't want to go back to prison!
Thanks a lot!
the charge against him was dropped he still has not been released can you please
tell me who can help thanks
Regards
Is there anyway we can appeal this?
Does this constitute grounds for a recall. I have had no previous warnings from my probation officer. My license ends this August.
My wife got a 4 months sentence combined of 12 weeks a 4 weeks and a few charges of 2 weeks in prison all added up to 16 week sentence 112 days her tag release date is 13th of February she has been mentally ill and people say prison wasn't for her the prison has asked her to fill the tag form in.
The medication she was on made her commit crimes medically induced psychosis my questions are due to the back log in giving prisoners the tag will she ever get out on tag ? as its not a right but a gift by the prison.
Will my wife ever get justice to clear her name on this as it was the pills that affected her health.
Thanking you in advance.
L.A. Lolwane
Perhaps all recalls should go before a judge before the offender is returned to custody as, just like the OP states, its common place for prisons to withhold dossiers (recall packs) for periods way in excess of the required 20 days in order for them to submit representations. (This is against the law btw, Prison Law states that offenders MUST be given reasons for recall/ dossiers within 24 hours of there arrival back to prison).
I recommend that you liaise with the Prison Library and ask to see the reference book, Parole Board Hearings: law and practice by Hamish Arnott and Simon Creighton. The ISBN for this book is “PB 978 1 908407 28 3”. This is the BIBLE for recalled offenders attempting release and contains vital information and specific points of law about time procedures etc.
Everyday people coming back through the doors because of stupid, pathetic breaches. I agree that recall serves its purpose if an offender is convicted of a further crime whilst on licence but for blowing 36 or being 10 minutes late for curfew is very simply a supervision matter and not a justified reason for recall.
What really annoys me, and I continue to write this until someone actually listens, is the fact that the uneducated, poor public, are paying more to keep inside those that have NOT committed a further offence inside on recall than to those that HAVE.
How is this justified? The costs are huge, not thousands but hundreds of millions of pounds each year to keep offenders housed when they should be supervised in the community by an Offender Manager.
What makes this even more absurd is the fact that OM's when completing the Annex A’s or Request for Recall Reports always use the following excuse, “that the offenders supervision has broken down to a point where he can no longer be managed in the community, therefore recall is appropriate”.
It’s not uncommon that once the offender is back in custody for that same OM to write on the Annex H report (the name of this document may have changed recently) that they support the offenders release back INTO the community! What??? Are they for real? Come on, someone help me out here?
If the OM decides not to recommend release and the Parole Board make no recommendations as to the release of the offender, he can then be expected to remain in custody until the completion of his sentence, up until the SED, (Sentence Expiry Date). To add insult to injury, the very people, (National Probation Service) who are in charge of PUBLIC PROTECTION allow for that offender to then be released with NO licence supervision!
So here on the one hand we have an offender which, in the opinion of probation is to higher risk to be in the community, then, on the other that same individual completing his sentence in custody only then to be released with none!
Is the purpose of supervision to supervise or am I missing a very valuable point?
The OP is correct in that Probation play the hand of God with people lives. They serve no purpose in my opinion other than destroying or taking away every bit of self worth and sense of purpose the released offender has. The recall system is backwards, it’s getting worse and probation should be managing offenders rather than passing the book to prisons for them to do so instead. Just because the probation service is in chaos does not mean its a justified reason for recall.
RECALL SHOULD ONLY BE JUSTIFIED IF AN OFFENDER ON LICENCE IS CONVICTED OF A NEW OFFENCE. IT SHOULD NOT BE USED F
days or longer itshis frist breach
My partner has been in prison for 3 months now. One of the pfficers have told him to pack his things the court have recalled him, then came back the next day to tell him its cancelled.
Does anyone know what this might be?
His been good in there not been in any trouble.
his car was taken off him i thought maybe its because of that? But noone is telling him whats going on he said his personal officer doesnt know anything.
helpppp pleaseeee
thank you
my partner as been given an hdc date for mid november hes serving 1 year the last time he was in prison was 2006 so 7 years clear he was recalled in 2006 for breaking a 1991 licence will this go against him for the hdc tag. hes been prison free for the past 7 years til this blip!!
Common assult I done a statement at police station the next day he had court Nd he got bail,I with drew my statement with police and then he had been recalled back to prison for a breach if bail..the police officer who arrested him said it would be only for 28days but because its domestic violence,common assult the police and court can still go ahead with it even if he does go not guilty..I'm just worried because I hope he don't have to do the rest of his licence which is 2years or will he just have to do 28days?????
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