Crime (Sentences) Act 1997

32 Recall of life prisoners while on licence. E+W

[F1 (1) The Secretary of State may, in the case of any life prisoner who has been released on licence under this Chapter, revoke his licence and recall him to prison.]

[F2 (1A) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a prisoner in respect of whom the Secretary of State is required to make an order under section 31A(2) or (4H) that the licence is to cease to have effect.]

(3) A life prisoner recalled to prison under [F3 this section]—

(a) may make representations in writing with respect to his recall; and

(b) on his return to prison, shall be informed of the reasons for his recall and of his right to make representations.

(4) The Secretary of State shall refer to the Parole Board [F4 the case of a life prisoner recalled under this section].

[F5 (5) Where on a reference under subsection (4) above the Parole Board directs the F6 ... release on licence under this section of the life prisoner, the Secretary of State shall give effect to the direction.]

[F7 (5A) The Board must not give a direction unless satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the life prisoner should remain in prison.]

[F8 (5B) Subsection (5C) applies where the Secretary of State releases, under subsection (5) above, a prisoner to whom section 31A (termination of licences of preventive sentence prisoners) applies.

(5C) The Secretary of State may determine that, for the purposes of paragraph (c) of section 31A(4H) (automatic licence termination), the prisoner’s licence is to be treated as having remained in force as if it had not been revoked under this section.

(5D) The Secretary of State may only make a determination under subsection (5C) if the Secretary of State considers that it is in the interests of justice to do so.

(5E) Where the Secretary of State makes a determination under subsection (5C), the Secretary of State must notify the prisoner.]

(6) On the revocation of the licence of any life prisoner under this section, he shall be liable to be detained in pursuance of his sentence and, if at large, shall be deemed to be unlawfully at large.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 32(1) substituted for s. 32(1)(2) (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 31(2), 153(7); S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 17

F2 S. 32(1A) inserted (1.11.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 66(4)(a), 81(2); S.I. 2024/966, reg. 3(1)(a)

F3 Words in s. 32(3) substituted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 31(3), 153(7); S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 17

F4 Words in s. 32(4) substituted for s. 32(4)(a)(b) (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 31(4), 153(7); S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 17

F5 S. 32(5) substituted (18.12.2003) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), s. 336(2), Sch. 32 para. 84

F6 Word in s. 32(5) omitted (28.6.2022) by virtue of Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 139(1)(a), 208(1); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(o)

F7 S. 32(5A) inserted (29.6.2022) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), ss. 11(2), 95(1) (with s. 11(5)); S.I. 2022/716, art. 2

F8 S. 32(5B)-(5E) inserted (1.11.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 66(4)(b), 81(2); S.I. 2024/966, reg. 3(1)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 32: exercise of functions restricted in or as regards Scotland (30.6.1999) by S.I. 1999/1748, art. 8(2), Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 1

C2 S. 32: power to amend conferred (29.6.2022) by 2012 c. 10, s. 128(3)(aa) (as inserted by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), ss. 11(3), 95(1); S.I. 2022/716, art. 2)