Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993

2Duty to release discretionary life prisoners

(1)In this Part of this Act “discretionary life prisoner”, subject to subsection (9)(a) below and except where the context otherwise requires, means a life prisoner—

(a)whose sentence was imposed for an offence the sentence for which is not fixed by law; and

(b)in respect of whom the court which sentenced him for that offence made the order mentioned in subsection (2) below.

(2)The order referred to in subsection (1)(b) above is an order that subsections (4) and (6) below shall apply to the life prisoner as soon as he has served such part of his sentence (“the relevant part”) as is specified in the order, being such part as the court considers appropriate taking into account—

(a)the seriousness of the offence, or of the offence combined with other offences associated with it; and

(b)any previous conviction of the life prisoner.

(3)Where a court which imposes life imprisonment for an offence such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above decides not to make such order as is mentioned in subsection (2) above, it shall state its reasons for so deciding; and for the purposes of any appeal or review, any such order and any such decision shall each constitute part of a person’s sentence within the meaning of the 1975 Act.

(4)Where this subsection applies, the Secretary of State shall, if directed to do so by the Parole Board, release a discretionary life prisoner on licence.

(5)The Parole Board shall not give a direction under subsection (4) above 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.

(6)Where this subsection applies, a discretionary life prisoner may, subject to subsection (7) below, at any time require the Secretary of State to refer his case to the Parole Board.

(7)No requirement shall be made under subsection (6) above—

(a)where the prisoner is also serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term, before he has served one-half of that sentence; and

(b)where less than two years has elapsed since the disposal of any (or the most recent if more than one) previous reference of his case to the Board under subsection (5)(a) or (6) above or under section 17(3) of this Act.

(8)In determining for the purposes of subsection (4) or (6) above whether a discretionary life prisoner has served the relevant part of his sentence, no account shall be taken of any time during which he was unlawfully at large.

(9)Where a life prisoner is serving two or more sentences of imprisonment for life—

(a)he is a discretionary life prisoner only if the requirements of subsection (1) above are satisfied in respect of each of those sentences;

(b)notwithstanding the terms of any order under subsection (2) above, subsections (4) and (6) above shall not apply to him until he has served the relevant part of each of those sentences; and

(c)he shall, if released on licence under subsection (4) above, be so released on a single licence.