Crime (Sentences) Act 1997

Release on licenceE+W

28 Duty to release certain life prisoners.E+W

(1)A life prisoner is one to whom this section applies if—

(a)the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) below are fulfilled; or

(b)he was under 18 at the time when he committed the offence for which his sentence was imposed.

(2)The conditions referred to in subsection (1)(a) above are—

(a)that the prisoner’s sentence was imposed for an offence the sentence for which is not fixed by law; and

(b)that the court by which he was sentenced for that offence ordered that this section should apply to him as soon as he had served a part of his sentence specified in the order.

(3)A part of a sentence specified in an order under subsection (2)(b) above shall be such part as the court considers appropriate taking into account—

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

(b)the effect of any direction which it would have given under section 9 above if it had sentenced him to a term of imprisonment [F1and

(c)the provisions of this section as compared with those of sections 33(2) and 35(1) of the M1Criminal Justice Act 1991 (“the 1991 Act”)]

(4)Where in the case of a life prisoner to whom this section applies the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) above are not fulfilled, the Secretary of State shall direct that this section shall apply to him as soon as he has served a part of his sentence specified in the direction.

(5)As soon as, in the case of a life prisoner to whom this section applies—

(a)he has served the part of his sentence specified in the order or direction (“the relevant part”); 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 [F2he 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 M2Prison Act 1952.

(9)An offence is associated with another for the purposes of this section if it is so associated for the purposes of Part I of the 1991 Act.

29 Power to release other life prisoners.E+W

(1)If recommended to do so by the Parole Board, the Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice together with the trial judge if available, release on licence a life prisoner who is not one to whom section 28 above applies.

(2)The Parole Board shall not make a recommendation under subsection (1) above unless the Secretary of State has referred the particular case, or the class of case to which that case belongs, to the Board for its advice.

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.