Licence recalls
People released from prison on licence can be recalled to custody if they breach its conditions. The Ministry of Justice publishes these figures quarterly, around four months after the period ends.
Jan to Mar 2026
13,193
licence recalls
Who was recalled
- Men
- 12,079 (91.6%)
- Women
- 1,114 (8.4%)
Why people were recalled
More than one reason can be recorded against a single recall, so these do not sum to the total. MoJ publishes offence group only for people not returned to custody, so it is not shown here as a breakdown of all recalls.
- Non-compliance9,683
- Failed to keep in touch5,025
- Failed to reside3,197
- Facing further charge2,891
- Other2,809
- Drugs/alcohol594
- Poor Behaviour - Relationships263
- HDC - Time violation233
- Failed home visit132
- HDC - Inability to monitor92
- HDC - Failed installation41
- HDC - Equipment Tamper26
Read these numbers carefully
Recall volumes have been reshaped by legislation three times in two years. A rise in this chart is substantially a change in the law rather than a change in behaviour.
2 Apr 2024 — Fixed-term recall mandated
The Suitability for Fixed Term Recall Order 2024 mandated fixed-term rather than standard recall for most people sentenced to under 12 months.
2 Sept 2025 — Fixed-term recall extended
Extended to most determinate sentences of four years or less. People already held on recall beyond 28 days were released when it took effect.
31 Mar 2026 — FTR56 introduced
Most recalled people began serving 56 days on recall.
Recent quarters
| Quarter | Recalls | Of which HDC |
|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 13,193 | 524 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 14,349 | 573 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 12,836 | 615 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 11,041 | 644 |
| Jan to Mar 2025 | 10,101 | 518 |
These figures are national. Recall is an offender-management decision rather than a prison one — people are recalled to custody and allocated wherever there is space — so no establishment-level figure exists and none is shown on the Custody Map.
Source: Ministry of Justice, Offender Management Statistics Quarterly, Open Government Licence v3.0.