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Recall, release, repeat

Published:

The impact of short, fixed-term recalls in the women’s estate

This week we published the inspection report of HMP Bronzefield where we found that the number of recalls had doubled in the last two years. Earlier this year we found similarly high levels of women on short, fixed-term recalls at Foston Hall and Eastwood Park. Across England and Wales, between April and June 2025, over half (57%) of women serving a recall were on a very short 14-day recall compared to 37% of recalled men (offender management statistics, June 2025).

Women in prison often have distinct vulnerabilities. For example, published data from the Ministry of Justice (safety in custody statistics, June 2025) shows that the rate of self-harm in the female estate remains more than eight times higher than in the male estate, and our latest surveys show that a higher proportion of women say they have mental health problems, drug and alcohol problems, or a physical disability (HMIP survey data 2024-25).

Women in custody on short, fixed-term recalls are often trapped in a pattern of homelessness, substance addiction, and poor mental health.

Across our recent inspections of women’s prisons, we found that those on a short, fixed term recall were –

  • More likely to be released homeless.

At Foston Hall, we found that about 60% released after a short, fixed-term recall left homeless compared to 20% for the general population. The cycle of homelessness continued for too many. One woman told us:

‘I’m constantly [homeless] on the streets…being homeless is the main reason I keep coming back.’ (Eastwood Park)

  • Likely to leave prison again with ongoing addiction and mental health problems.

Accessing healthcare was often too difficult and many spent most of their recall locked up for long periods with nothing to do. There was not enough time for women to have a mental health assessment completed and they often could not access the necessary substance misuse help quickly enough to prepare them for release. One prisoner at Eastwood Park said:

‘All Fixed-Term Recalls do is hinder progress in the community…I’ve had my psych referral closed again due to this recall that means 6 months I have to wait to see my psychiatrist again.’ (Eastwood Park)

  • Unable to access help with finances, benefits and identification.

Those recalled for 14 days were released with no discharge grant. Most short recalls were ineligible for DWP support and did not have enough time to address issues like the lack of personal identification documents or a bank account. One woman said she:

‘Couldn’t claim due to already having advance payment. This time will be the same, also no discharge grant. I’ll be back again.’ (Foston Hall)

  • Insufficiently supported by, and communicated with, by staff

Women had to report their personal difficulties to different staff in the prison, again and again. Some told us that they had not received their recall paperwork or met with their community offender manager (COM), even by video-link, to discuss the reasons for recall before they were to be released again.

These multiple gaps in resettlement support often undermined the likelihood of robust risk management planning and made oversight of high-risk re-releases extremely challenging for leaders.

What next?

The number of women on fixed term recalls is likely to continue increasing. The prison and probation service has been far too slow in responding to this increase and the needs of this population. A realignment of the range and delivery of services is required if the needs of these vulnerable women are to be met. Without this, they will continue in the spiral of failing on licence and developing even more acute personal problems, with little support from prisons or agencies in the community. 

Almost 20 years on from the Corston report, it is hugely disappointing that alternatives to recall, such as the use of community sentences and women’s centres, are still not being used effectively. If properly established, these services could have a better chance of breaking the cycle of offending, addiction, homelessness and mental health difficulties.