Last amended by Sentencing Act 2026 in 2026. 20 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 reformed the supervision of offenders released from custody in England and Wales. Its central change was to extend statutory post-release supervision to offenders sentenced to short custodial terms of under twelve months, who had previously been released with no licence or supervision at all — the group with the highest reoffending rates. Every such offender now serves a period of supervision in the community after release, with rehabilitation activity requirements aimed at resettlement ('through-the-gate' support). The Act formed part of the Government's 'Transforming Rehabilitation' programme, which also restructured probation by creating Community Rehabilitation Companies — a model since reversed, with probation re-unified under a single public-sector Probation Service.
Key Points
- Supervision for short-sentence prisoners
- Rehabilitation activity requirements
- Reform of licence conditions
- Through-the-gate resettlement services
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2014 — The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2015
38 commencement (coming-into-force) effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2026 — Sentencing Act 2026
20 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2014 — The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2014
18 commencement (coming-into-force) effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2020 — Sentencing Act 2020
12 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2020 — Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020
11 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main purpose of the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014?
- The Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 reformed how offenders are supervised after leaving prison in England and Wales. Its main change was extending statutory post-release supervision to those serving short custodial terms of under twelve months. Previously, these individuals were released without any licence or supervision. Now, they must complete a period of community supervision with rehabilitation activity requirements designed to support their resettlement.
- Who is required to serve a supervision period after release under this Act?
- Yes, the Act specifically targets offenders sentenced to short custodial terms of under twelve months. Before this legislation, this group was released with no licence or supervision at all, despite having the highest reoffending rates. The Act ensures that every such offender now serves a period of supervision in the community after release, providing 'through-the-gate' support aimed at rehabilitation and resettlement.
- How did the Act change the structure of probation services?
- The Act was part of the Government's 'Transforming Rehabilitation' programme. This initiative also restructured probation by creating Community Rehabilitation Companies. However, this specific model has since been reversed. Probation services have been re-unified under a single public-sector Probation Service, although the core supervision requirements for short-sentence offenders introduced by the Act remain in place.
- What does 'through-the-gate' support mean in this context?
- The supervision period includes rehabilitation activity requirements aimed at resettlement. These are often referred to as 'through-the-gate' support, meaning the assistance begins before release and continues into the community. The goal is to help offenders reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending by addressing the factors that contributed to their criminal behaviour.
- Does the Act apply to all prisoners released from custody?
- The Act applies to offenders serving custodial sentences of more than one day. Upon release, they are subject to a supervision period in the community. This includes specific rehabilitation activity requirements and reformed licence conditions. The legislation is specific to England and Wales and has been amended by subsequent sentencing acts to update its provisions.