Jeffrey Archer released

Lord Archer in the prison library shortly before his release

The novelist Jeffrey Archer has been released on parole.

He's left Hoseley Bay Open Prison in Suffolk this morning, after serving half of his four-year sentence for perjury, and perverting the course of justice.

Dermot and Sian spoke to Baroness Doreen Miller, a friend of Jeffrey Archer and Lord Brocket, who found himself in a similar position to Archer after serving a two and a half year prison sentence for fraud.

Lord Charles Brocket said that the best thing that Lord Archer could do on his release was to "keep quite a low profile".

He said that he lost some of his friends when he came out - though his good friends stood by him.

I lost I should think about 15% of my address book Lord Charles Brocket

But he felt that Lord Archer, after a while, could do some useful charity work - especially in the area of penal reform - which Lord Archer has already expressed an interest in.

Baroness Doreen Miller is a friend of Lord Archer, she visited him in the first prison he was sent to - where she said he did not seem to be having too bad a time.

He seemed very bright, extremely cheerful. Everyone down there liked him Baroness Doreen Miller

She too felt that he should do some charity work - particularly as he has worked for charity in the past.

And they both felt that Lord Archer should return to the House of Lords - even though MPs are not allowed to return to the House if they have been to prison.

I very much hope that he will be able to go back ...you do something, you take your punishment, you come out, it's over. Baroness Doreen Miller