Crime (Sentences) Act 1997

Release on licenceE+W

28 Duty to release certain life prisoners.E+W

[F1[F2(1A)This section applies to a life prisoner in respect of whom a minimum term order has been made; and any reference in this section to the relevant part of such a prisoner’s sentence is a reference to the part of the sentence specified in the order.]

(1B)But if a life prisoner is serving two or more life sentences—

(a)[F3this section does not apply to him] unless [F4a minimum term order has been made in respect of each of those sentences]; and

(b)the provisions of subsections (5) to (8) below do not apply in relation to him until he has served the relevant part of each of them.

(5)As soon as—

(a)a life prisoner to whom this section applies has served the relevant part of his sentence; and]

(b)the Parole Board has directed his release under this section,

it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence.

(6)The Parole Board shall not give a direction under subsection (5) above with respect to a life prisoner to whom this section applies unless—

(a)the Secretary of State has referred the prisoner’s case to the Board; and

(b)the Board is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined.

(7)A life prisoner to whom this section applies may require the Secretary of State to refer his case to the Parole Board at any time—

(a)after he has served the relevant part of his sentence; and

(b)where there has been a previous reference of his case to the Board, after the end of the period of two years beginning with the disposal of that reference; and

(c)where he is also serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention for a term, after [F5he has served one-half of that sentence];

and in this subsection “previous reference” means a reference under subsection (6) above or section 32(4) below.

(8)In determining for the purpose of subsection (5) or (7) above whether a life prisoner to whom this section applies has served the relevant part of his sentence, no account shall be taken of any time during which he was unlawfully at large within the meaning of section 49 of the M1Prison Act 1952.

[F6(8A)In this section “minimum term order” means an order under—

(a)subsection (2) of section 82A of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (determination of minimum term in respect of life sentence that is not fixed by law), or

(b)subsection (2) of section 269 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (determination of minimum term in respect of mandatory life sentence) [F7, or

(c)subsection (2) of section 321 of the Sentencing Code (life sentence: minimum term order etc).]]

F8(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F929 Power to release other life prisoners.E+W

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30 Power to release life prisoners on compassionate grounds.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may at any time release a life prisoner on licence if he is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the prisoner’s release on compassionate grounds.

(2)Before releasing a life prisoner under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult the Parole Board, unless the circumstances are such as to render such consultation impracticable.