Offenders serving life sentences are recognized as a group with special needs. Every lifer is thoroughly assessed during an initial period of confinement, moves progressively to lower conditions of security with opportunities for greater freedom and responsibility, and has a specific sentence plan outlining his proposed progression through the system and his training and treatment needs. A team approach is used to assess the progress of lifers; the team is comprised of main grade officers, a probation officer, teachers, a medical officer, and prison visitors and volunteers. Each lifer preparing for release on license must undergo a complete and thorough training program. Training and treatment, including preparation for release, for other long-term offenders is largely dependent on the individual inmate's initiative, although the British Home Office has begun a program to extend sentence planning and other programs to long-term offenders.