“It sets you up to fail”: What people leaving prison told us about license conditions
Around 80% of recalls to prison happen for reasons unrelated to new offending, Revolving Doors has been looking closely at why people struggle to comply with licence conditions. The reasons are complex, often linked to unstable housing, substance use and wider unmet needs. Our members have also highlighted something more fundamental: many people simply do not understand what is expected of them on licence.
This is not surprising. Fifty-seven percent of adult prisoners in England and Wales have literacy levels below those expected of an 11-year-old. This is more than four times higher than the general population. Yet licence conditions (the rules a person must obey after release) are presented in very formal, complicated language and are often only presented to people, on the day of release – when they are overwhelmed with information.
Revolving Doors took our members’ observations to the Ministry of Justice, who, to their credit, met with our members to explore how licences could be made easier to understand.
Below, we share what they told us.
The language is too jargony and bloated.
Members felt that currently licences are confusing, overly legalistic, and full of irrelevant information.
One member asked:
“Why should anyone need to know what chapter 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 means? Why is that in my licence?”
Another said:
“On one of my licences they have given me Roman numerals, which seems random.”
For people with learning difficulties or neurodivergence, this confusion is even more acute:
“I didn’t really understand a lot so I wouldn’t process it properly or absorb the information.”
The messaging on this was clear: licences should use simple, supportive language.
People do not understand their licence, because no one explains it.
Although licences are meant to be explained on release and at the first probation appointment, members told us this rarely happens in a way that allows them to understand what is expected.
“When I was released, I didn’t understand the language, and nobody actually sat down and went through it with me.”
“I remember sitting in the prison waiting room and getting hurried up to sign forms so they can push me out the door.”
It is understandable that this goes wrong, release day is chaotic, rushed, and overwhelming – both at the prison and probation offices. But, members want licence conditions to be explained in the days before release, ideally with support from someone who understands their experience, like a peer support worker.
“I’m massively in favour of peer support […] someone coming round and busting the jargon with you.”
Irrelevant and contradictory conditions cause anxiety and confusion.
People described receiving conditions that did not apply to them – including deportation rules – which caused distress:
“The one that did confuse me was about deportation […] I focused on the negative.”
People also reported contradictory paperwork:
“I got a set of licence papers sent to an approved premises […] then another set faxed through. I thought, what do you mean?”
This confusion undermines compliance and trust. Licences must be tailored to the individual, include only relevant conditions, and, crucially, be accurate.
People want licences that support them, not scare them.
Many felt current licences are written to intimidate rather than help:
“The conditions are written in a way that prioritises authority over engagement.”
People want clear information on where to get help, written in language that encourages engagement rather than intimidation
Layout and design matter more than policymakers realise.
‘’Better, bigger font, bigger gaps. Important information in bold. That helps me read it.”
Icons were seen as particularly helpful:
“I like symbols, I am a visual person.”
“Breaking it up with a visual makes it much easier for me to understand.”
Setting licences out in simple fonts, with symbols and gaps in between text make it much more accessible for those for whom formal documents hold fear and confusion.
People want clear contact details, especially for their probation officer.
This was one of the strongest recommendations:
“I would like to see a personal mobile number for my probation officer… rather than a generic office.”
People want to know who their officer is, how to reach them and what to do if they miss an appointment.
Housing guidance is essential.
Housing instability is a major cause of breach and recall. Members told us they were often unsure what to do if they felt unsafe in their registered address or had to leave it, including situations involving violence or drug use. Some reported being recalled even when leaving an address made them safer. Members want:
- clear expectations
- emergency contacts
A licence should be a lifeline, not a trap.
As one member said:
“I just need it to be direct, clear. Just explain it to me because then there’s no misunderstanding.”
People leaving prison want to rebuild their lives and to stay out of custody, but they need licence conditions that make that possible.
