Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of recalls to prison resulted in (a) fixed-term recall and (b) standard recall in the latest period for which figures are available.

For the period 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019 there were 2522 fixed term recalls (41%) and 3646 standard recalls (59%).

Where offenders are eligible for a fixed-term recall, their probation officer may decide that a fixed-term recall is the proportionate and necessary response to a breach of licence conditions. If not, they will be recalled to prison on a standard recall, which is the only type of recall available as a response for offenders ineligible for a fixed-term recall. Where offenders are recalled on a standard recall, they are liable to serve the rest of their sentence in prison.

The decision to recall is taken on the professional advice of senior probation staff.