Understanding the Sentencing Act 2026 changes and accessing support

The Government is introducing changes to prison release arrangements through the Sentencing Act 2026. These changes are intended to help ensure there is enough space in prisons, while making sure there is tough supervision of offenders when they are released to keep victims and the wider public safe.

The Sentencing Act 2026 makes changes to the amount of time some offenders spend in prison before being released to serve the rest of their sentence on licence.

A new three-part model will be introduced for standard determinate sentences called a ‘Progression Model’. Protecting victims remains a priority. All offenders released through the Progression Model will be subject to strict licence conditions and a period of intensive supervision.

The changes do not apply to more than 18,000 offenders. For a list of offences that this model does not apply to visit sentencing act offence exclusions (opens in new window).

More information about the Progression Model, what is changing, how victims can be informed and what support is available can be found at: A guide for victims about the changes to prison release arrangements – GOV.UK (opens in new window)

How to access support

If you have been affected by these changes or are worried about the release of offenders, local services are available to support you. Find out how to access support below.

Victim Support’s dedicated Offender Release Helpline provides information, emotional and practical support, and help to access other services for people affected by, or worried about, the release of an offender.

The Helpline is there to:

• Listen to victims and survivors’ concerns and offer emotional support
• Discuss wellbeing, safety and possible next steps
• Provide practical guidance and help callers understand what the changes may mean
• Explain how someone may be able to seek further information, the Helpline cannot provide information about individual offenders or case specific release dates.
• Help people access ongoing or specialist support where appropriate

You can contact the Helpline on 0808 168 9280.

Further information about the Helpline and the support available can be found at https://victimsupport.org.uk/offender-release-helpline.

The Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex have also commissioned Victim Support to provide more localised support to Essex residents if required by recruiting a Progression Model Victims’ Advocate.

The overall aim of the role is to ensure that victim-survivors affected by changes to prison release arrangements feel safe, informed, empowered and supported, while strengthening local partnership responses and enhancing access to victims' rights and support services. The role will work collaboratively with local victim services to complement existing provision and ensure victim-survivors can access appropriate specialist support. This may include assistance with housing issues, family court processes, school liaison, domestic abuse safety planning, emotional support, security improvements, and advocacy where risks have escalated following changes in release arrangements.

If contacting the National Helpline first, then your details can be passed to the advocate for further support. Alternatively you can contact Victim Support Essex directly via the following methods;

Website: Essex - Victim Support

Call: 0808 17 81 694 (8am – 5pm Monday to Friday)

Email: Essex@victimsupport.org.uk