Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of recalls to prison have been 28 day fixed-term recalls in the latest year for which information is available.

The number of 28 day fixed term recalls to prison in England and Wales for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 was 4,665, this equates to 19% of the total number of recalls for the period which was 24,268.

Public protection is our priority. Offenders on licence are subject to strict licence conditions and supervision.

Where offenders are eligible for a fixed-term recall, they may be recalled to prison on a fixed-term basis, where that is a necessary and proportionate response to a breach of licence conditions. If not, they will receive a standard recall, which is the only type of recall available for those offenders ineligible for a fixed-term recall (such as those on a life licence). Where they receive a standard recall, they are liable to serve the rest of their sentence in prison, unless the Parole Board or the Secretary of State executively re-releases them.

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