ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on all forms of early release, but special attention is paid to what is called conditional release. The concept of early or conditional release raises several questions of terminology and legal concepts. One of the big advantages for the resettlement of offenders is that in the case of an early/conditional release, offenders can be supported and supervised by the probation service. The new Prison Act of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania of 1 June 2013 provides for an 'integration' or 're-entry plan', which has to be developed no later than one year before the provisional release and which emphasizes the participation of the probation and aftercare services. Some countries provide a forward displacement of early release up to six months before the regular date of early release, if the offender consents to serving the sentence in form of an electronically supervised house arrest.