Restored responds to proposed changes to perpetrator recall measures
Posted by Jenni James on 19 May 2025
Restored is deeply concerned by the Government’s proposed changes to perpetrator recall measures, allowing individuals who breach bail conditions to be re-released into the community after just 28 days. The changes pose a significant safety risk to survivors of domestic abuse.
Whilst we recognise the need to ease the pressure on the prison system, any measures to relieve overcrowding must not come at the expense of victims and survivors, who will be placed at risk of further harm by this change.
Victims and survivors of domestic abuse already face significant barriers to accessing support and finding safety. The nature of domestic abuse is often hidden, complex and challenging to monitor. Perpetrators can and do manipulate systems, breach protection orders and conceal their abusive behaviours. As a result, we have significant concerns over the Probation Service’s capacity to effectively monitor those released under these new measures. Simply put, these measures will put lives at risk.
We call on the government to prioritise the safety of survivors and exclude perpetrators of domestic abuse from early release schemes. Anything less fails to reflect the seriousness and long-standing impact of domestic abuse.