Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners (1) applied for, and (2) were granted, early release on compassionate grounds in each of the past five years.

The Secretary of State has a statutory power to grant the early release of prisoners serving a sentence or term of imprisonment in custody on compassionate grounds. The power is used in exceptional circumstances only and in accordance with the HMPPS Early Release on Compassionate Grounds Policy Framework.

The table shows the number of prisoners granted early release on compassionate grounds from 2021 to 2025. We do not centrally collate information on the number of applications for such early release.

The figures from this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

The Policy Framework makes clear that there are no prescribed timescales for completing an application for release. However, it is imperative that applications are expedited as far as possible and that they provide all the necessary information, including medical evidence, for an informed decision to be made without delay.

Medical evidence must include a report from the prison GP and an additional report from the medical specialist involved in the care of the prisoner. These reports should provide a diagnosis, an assessment for incapacity/frailty, prognosis, treatment pathway/plan and, where applicable, a clear indication of life expectancy.