§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance is provided for (a) prisoners being released after serving their sentence and (b) prisoners who are released as a result of their conviction being overturned. [55620]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 13 May 2002]: While there is no statutory obligation on the probation service to provide support on release to offenders who complete their sentences in prison, support can be provided to an offender seeking help, if local resources allow. The current position is the same in respect of prisoners released after a successful appeal against conviction. However, I am currently considering proposals for an advice service 704W specifically for those who have successfully appealed against conviction and will be making an announcement shortly.