We contribute to your Sentence Plan which will be drawn up with you at the prison.

The Sentence Plan will help you make the best use of your time in prison. It is also a way you can review your progress throughout your sentence.

The Sentence Plan will enable you to tackle your offending behaviour. It will provide a plan for you to undertake work, training and education to help you prepare for release.

Following your release the probation service will be responsible for supervising and enforcing your Licence.

How will the probation service stay in contact with me in prison?
We will usually write letters to you. Or we will contact you through the Prison and Probation staff employed in the prison.

Routine visits are not always possible but if we attend Sentence Planning Boards and reviews at the prison then we will try to arrange to see you at the same time.

If we are not able to attend the relevant boards we will send a written contribution and prepare essential reports for the prison.

So it is also important for you to keep in contact with us so that we know the necessary information to enable us to write an accurate report.

• you are a prisoner over 18 years old
  and
• have been sentenced to more than 3 months and less than 4 years imprisonment.

Not everyone is eligible to apply but further information can be obtained from prison staff. They will be able to explain the process to you.

Those assessed as suitable for the curfew can be released from a minimum of 2 weeks and up to a maximum of 2 months* earlier than they normally would be. The length of the original sentence also affects the length of the curfew period.

(* this period may be extended beyond two months so check with the prison staff)

What is the probation service's role in Home Detention Curfew Order (electronic tagging)
The probation service provides information to the Prison Governor on the general risk assessment of someone being released on the order. We also provide information about the suitability of the proposed curfew address.

Can I apply for parole?
Prisoners sentenced to more than 4 years may apply to be considered for parole at the halfway point of their sentence.

Further information about applying for this can be obtained from prison staff. Or if you want to write to your probation officer they will explain the process to you.

This is not applicable to prisoners who have been given life sentences.

What will happen when I am released from prison?
When you are released from prison you will be subject to a period of supervision on licence.

Your licence is an important document. So you should ensure that you understand what it says and be aware of the requirements.

There are a number of standard conditions which apply to everyone's licence. These include living and working only where approved and not being allowed to travel abroad during the supervision period (so please do not plan to work or take holidays abroad).

Extra conditions may be added to your licence to assist your resettlement and supervision following release. These will normally have been discussed with you before your release. In certain circumstances this can include a condition of drug testing.

After the supervised part of your licence has been completed you will still be 'at risk' of being returned to prison if you commit an imprisonable offence before your total sentence has expired.

How can I get help with education and essential skills?
If you have any difficulties with essential skills in reading and writing you may be able to join a course in prison which will help you.

If a course is not available in the prison then we can put you in touch with someone who can help when you are released. It is also possible to arrange for other types of educational courses started whilst in prison to be continued on release. Please let us know if you would like further information about this.

How can I get help with accommodation for my release?
If you think you will need help with accommodation when you are released please tell us at the earliest opportunity. You may also find that the prison can provide assistance, so ask the prison staff or the probation staff employed in the prison if there is an accommodation scheme available.

If you are considering moving to a different area on release, again please tell us and the Probation staff in the prison as soon as possible. This can be a complicated procedure which can take time to arrange and is not always possible.

Do I have any rights with the probation service while I am in prison?
You will be treated fairly and equally. You will be expected to behave just as fairly to other people.

The service will not allow racist, sexist or other disrespectful behaviour from any person under our supervision.

You can make a complaint if you feel you have been treated unfairly or unreasonably. You should try to talk about this with the probation staff first, or their managers. They will try to help you.

If you are not satisfied with the response you get, then you can write to the Chief Officer at:

National Probation Service
Gwent Area
Cwmbran House
Mamhilad Park Estate
Pontypool
Gwent NP4 0XD

What if I have any questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, please write to us at the address above, and we'll try to sort things out for you.