The current regulations make prisoners serving sentences of up to 2 years eligible for assistance. Under the new system, assistance would be restricted to inmates serving sentences of up to 6 months, who receive conditional release subject to good behavior after 13 weeks in custody. The new 13-week limit would also apply to most temporary absences for reasons other than imprisonment. The Secretary of State for Social Security proposed the change in October 1994; the Department of Social Security has submitted draft regulations. Contrary to a statement from the Department of Social Security, public and media criticism of the current rules has been almost nonexistent. The proposed change is a misguided one that would increase homelessness and reoffending by released inmates.