Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice on 14 May 2024, Official Report, column 119, whether a decision by a Governor to block the early release of a prisoner under the End of Custody Supervised License scheme can be overruled by HM Prison and Probation Service.

It remains at the discretion of the prison service to prevent the End of Custody Supervised Licence release of any prisoners where releasing an offender earlier presents a heightened risk than if they were released at their automatic release date. A panel formed of HMPPS senior leaders take decisions over exclusions following advice from prison and probation staff.