The Hardman Directory

When the time comes for you to be released (in Scotland, liberated) there is a lot required and it can sometimes feel overwhelming or daunting. Creating your own release plan diary, so that your release and post-release experience is as smooth as possible, will help. We hope the example below will give you some ideas on what to include and how to structure your own release plan diary.

This release plan was written by Clare, a long-sentenced prisoner, following her release and ideas have been added by others who have served long sentences. The framework and ideas can be used by anyone.

3 months before release

Put in applications and start gathering the information required for the following:

Visit the Resettlement Office, to help with outstanding resettlement issues.
If you haven't already done so and you are seeking supplementary funding, now might be a good time to make applications for funding and grants. Speak to your probation officer about this.
Open a bank account – this may be done by the resettlement officer; if it isn’t, see the Opening a bank account entry in the Directory.
Contact Jobcentre Plus to find out about benefits you could apply for. A Universal Credit (UC) application must be filled in online at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit If you need help with the application or have any questions please call: 0800 328 5644. If you can apply for Jobseekers Allowance, fill in the online application at www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim or call 0800 055 6688 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Ask someone who works in the library to look up information for you on National Careers Service, Skills Development Scotland, Careers Wales or nidirect Careers Service. They have websites that give information and advice on getting jobs. Also, turn to the Getting into employment section of this Directory. If you have the Virtual Campus in your prison, you may gain access to a lot of useful information on jobs pre-release.
Ask your personal officer about charities that give advice on housing (temporary or permanent). Your prison may have connections with different charities that provide advice and guidance on this. Additionally you will hopefully find some information that is useful to you in the Finding a place to live section of this Directory.
Find a mentor – have a look at the section in this Directory on mentoring. Prison chaplaincies might be able to help you contact local organisations in the area you are going to. It can be difficult to 'go it alone' even following up leads you find in The Hardman Directory.

2 months prior to release

It is now a good time to:

Start thinking about applying for jobs. You can do this with Jobcentre Plus or with a job club or employment hub if your prison has one.
In some prisons you can apply for voluntary work in the community. See the section in this Directory on volunteering.
Get valid photo ID from Resettlement or try CitizenCard; see the note at the end of this diary.

1 month prior

Talk to your personal officer about signing release papers.
Contact HMRC to get documents that show your name and National Insurance number if you don't already have your NI number. Call on 0300 2003500. Their written reply should arrive within 15 days.
If you need medication you should apply to see healthcare. Healthcare can provide you 7 days of medicine on the day you are released from prison.
Talk to your probation officer to get addresses for support networks in the area you are moving to.
Finish any applications for Universal Credit or Jobseekers Allowance.
If you are of retirement age make a note to contact Age UK to ask for their help in claiming benefits.
Find out about your transport from the prison to your new accommodation.
Return any books you have borrowed from the prison.
Start planning what you want to take with you when you are released and and pack what you can.
Check with your personal officer what you can throw away and what you can leave behind.
Put the property you want to take with you in bags and take them to reception.
When you are released you will be given up to £200 of the money from your prison account. This will be given you in cash. Any money over £200 will be given to you as a cheque. If you want this money in cash instead of a cheque you will have to ask for it to be in cash before your day of release. You will be asked to sign a form that says you asked for the money in cash and you understand the dangers of carrying the money in cash.
Try and prepare yourself mentally for release. This will not be easy, but think about what you would like to achieve and maybe note down a few aims and objectives for yourself, which can give you a path to stay focused on. Don't be hard on yourself if it takes longer than you first think to achieve some of your objectives.

Your day of release

Read your release papers carefully and then sign them.
If you need medication, go to the discharge nurse. You will have to sign a form when you collect your medicine.
Sign a form to say you have collected your property. Make sure to check you have everything before signing. Anything left behind will be thrown away and you cannot ask for it back.
Make sure you know where you are getting your transport from.
Make sure you see your probation officer on time or you will be in breach of your licence and may have to go back to prison.
Go to your new accommodation and make sure you know any rules that you need to follow. Breaking rules in your accommodation could cause you problems.
Sign any documents to do with your accommodation that you need to. Make sure you read them carefully and keep a copy for yourself.
If you are in a hostel, you can ask your key worker to help you.
It will not be easy when you are released if you do not have a support network. If you are in a hostel there are people who can help you. Remember the Samaritans or a support agency in your area can help you with your feelings. You will find a few national support organisations listed at the end of the Emergency section of this Directory.

Day after release

If you have question about Universal Credit then call 0800 328 5644.
If you have a long term disability or a medical reason that you cannot work then you should apply for ESA/PIP. To apply for ESA or PIP call: 0800 169 0350.
For pension queries the Pension Service can be called on 0800 731 7898.
For more information on benefits, please see the appendix Benefit changes in this Directory.
Register at the local doctors. It can take a few weeks to arrange an appointment or any medicine you need. If you need medicine right away then call the doctors and they will help.
If you have the contact details of someone you trust who can support you, think about contacting them.

In your first week

You will sometimes need to have documents to prove where you live. Until you start receiving letters and bills you can use your tenancy agreement.
Visit the bank and apply for any cards or deposit books you may need. You will need to take your photo ID with you and proof of where you live. For more information see Opening a bank account at the end of this section.
Set up an email account if you do not already have one. A lot of online services need you to have email to use them.
Join your local library so you can borrow books and use the internet. The people who work in the library can help you with setting up an email account and using the internet.
You can go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or a Law Centre for help. They can help you if you have debt or need legal advice or need help filling out forms or applications. We have also listed organisation that offer free debt advice in the Dealing with debt section of this Directory.
If you have Universal Credit make an appointment at your local Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible. You will need to take your photo ID with you to the first appointment.
If you are in temporary housing you should apply for permanent housing. You could start by going to the local council and looking at local newspapers. Also see, the Finding a place to live section in the Directory
If you follow a religion you could contact your local place of worship. They may be able to provide you with support.
Try and make time for short walks so you can clear your head and relax.

In the first month

If you can work you may want to apply for jobs.
Make sure your CV is up to date and has the right address, email and phone number on it. See Getting into employment in this Directory for tips on writing your CV, and organisations who can help.
Some jobs need you to do a DBS check before you start work. See the appendix in this Directory, Ten things to know about criminal records. You can still apply for jobs even if you have a criminal record. Do not let DBS checks put you off applying for jobs.
If you had any doctor or hospital appointments booked while you were in prison you should call and have them moved to your local doctor or hospital.
You may want to book an appointment at the opticians to get your eyes checked. You may need glasses.
You may want to register at your local dentist. It is important to look after your teeth.
If your next accommodation is likely to be unfurnished, apply for furniture grants. Further details are available in the Finding a place to live and Emergency sections and help may also be available from your council or, for example, from Salvation Army charity shops.
Sign up to any special clinics or support groups you need to.

3 months later…

Keep looking for jobs if you do not already have one.
Hopefully by now you can move to a permanent address.
... but if you don’t have a permanent address, there are a number of places you can go to around the country which offer support, classes and free food. Ask probation or phone the national homeless charities' helplines to see if they know of places in your town or city.
If you are able to move to another address you need to let your bank know.
You may need to contact the companies that provide water, gas and electricity and tell them your new address.
If you are getting benefits then you need to tell the Department of Work and Pensions that you have moved.
You may need to apply for a television licence. This can be paid by direct debit.
You can sign up for free courses and join local organisations. These are a great way to have fun and meet new people.
You can also think about volunteering. Charities require all sorts of help and there are regional and government schemes that promote volunteering. An example is timebank.org.uk who recruit and train volunteers to deliver mentoring projects to tackle complex social issues. Volunteering can help show your willingness to work and may lead to a paid position.

Now you can start living your life and making the most out of your new-found freedom!!!