Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL): How Prison Day Release Works
Last reviewed: June 2026. Release rules change — check GOV.UK for the current position.
In short: Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) lets risk-assessed prisoners leave prison temporarily — to work, train, keep family ties or prepare for release — before returning to custody. It’s used mainly in open (Category D) prisons towards the end of a sentence, and every instance is risk-assessed. ROTL is a privilege, not a right: it can be refused or withdrawn, and breaking its conditions (such as failing to return) is treated very seriously. Used well, it is one of the most effective tools for reducing reoffending, because it lets people rebuild work and family links gradually rather than being released cold.
What ROTL is for
ROTL supports a managed, gradual return to the community. It is used for paid or voluntary work placements, training and education, maintaining family ties (including caring for children), and practical resettlement such as arranging housing, a bank account and ID before release.
The main types of ROTL
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Resettlement Day Release (RDR) | Daytime release for work, training or resettlement activities. |
| Resettlement Overnight Release (ROR) | Overnight stays at an approved address to rebuild family and community ties. |
| Childcare Resettlement Licence | For sole carers of children, to maintain that relationship. |
| Special Purpose Licence | Short release for specific reasons such as a funeral or urgent medical need. |
Who is eligible and how it’s decided
ROTL is mainly for prisoners in open conditions who are assessed as low enough risk, usually nearer the end of their sentence. Each application goes through a detailed risk assessment considering the offence, behaviour, the purpose of the release and the destination address. Higher-risk prisoners and those who have not yet progressed to open conditions will not normally qualify, and it can be refused even when someone is technically eligible.
Conditions and what happens on breach
ROTL comes with strict licence conditions — where you can go, when you must return, no alcohol or no-contact rules, sometimes a tag. Failing to return or breaching conditions is taken extremely seriously: ROTL is withdrawn, it damages the prisoner’s progression and parole prospects, and absconding is itself an offence.
Common misunderstandings
- Thinking ROTL is early release — it’s temporary; the prisoner returns to custody.
- Assuming everyone qualifies — it’s mainly for open-conditions prisoners and is risk-assessed.
- Treating it as a right — it’s a privilege that can be refused or withdrawn.
- Underestimating breaches — failing to return or breaking conditions has serious consequences.
Frequently asked questions
What does ROTL stand for?
Release on Temporary Licence — temporary, risk-assessed release that ends with a return to prison.
Who can get ROTL?
Mainly prisoners in open conditions assessed as low risk, usually towards the end of their sentence.
Can ROTL be taken away?
Yes — it’s a privilege and can be refused or withdrawn, especially after any breach.
Related guides and official sources
See open (Category D) prisons, prison home leave, Home Detention Curfew and parole. Official: GOV.UK on leaving prison and HMPPS ROTL policy.
