Criminal Justice Act 1991

New arrangements for early release E+W

33 Duty to release short-term and long-term prisoners. E+W

(1) As soon as a short-term prisoner has served one-half of his sentence, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State—

(a) to release him unconditionally if that sentence is for a term of less than twelve months; and

(b) to release him on licence if that sentence is for a term of twelve months or more.

(2) As soon as a long-term prisoner has served two-thirds of his sentence, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence.

(3) As soon as a short-term or long-term prisoner who—

(a) has been released on licence under subsection (1)(b) or (2) above or section 35 or 36(1) below; and

(b) has been recalled to prison under section 38(2) or 39(1) below,

would (but for his release) have served three-quarters of his sentence, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to release him unconditionally.

(4) Where a prisoner whose sentence is for a term of less than twelve months has been released on licence under section 36(1) below and recalled to prison under section 38(2) below, subsection (3) above shall have effect as if for the reference to three-quarters of his sentence there were substituted a reference to one-half of that sentence.

(5) In this Part—

• “long-term prisoner” means a person serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of four years or more;

• “short-term prisoner” means a person serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than four years.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 33 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8(2), 9(2), Sch. 5 paras. 9(1)(a), 10(1)(b); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

C2 S. 33(1)(b) amended (retrospectively) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (retrospectively) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 33(1)(b) amended (1.10.1997) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

C3 S. 33(2) amended (retrospectively) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (retrospectively) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 33(2) amended (1.10.1997) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

Commencement Information

I1 Pt. II (ss. 32 - 51) wholly in force at 1.10.1992 see s. 102(2)(3) and S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2.

Yn ddilys o 30/09/1998

[F1 F1 33A Duty to release prisoners: special cases. E+W

(1) As soon as a prisoner—

(a) whose sentence is for a term of less than twelve months; and

(b) who has been released on licence under section 34A(3) or 36(1) below and recalled to prison under section 38A(1) or 39(1) or (2) below,

would (but for his release) have served one-half of his sentence, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to release him unconditionally.

(2) As soon as a prisoner—

(a) whose sentence is for a term of twelve months or more; and

(b) who has been released on licence under section 34A(3) below and recalled to prison under section 38A(1) below,

would (but for his release) have served one-half of his sentence, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence.

(3) In the case of a prisoner who—

(a) has been released on licence under this Part and recalled to prison under section 39(1) or (2) below; and

(b) has been subsequently released on licence under section 33(3) or (3A) above and recalled to prison under section 39(1) or (2) below,

section 33(3) above shall have effect as if for the words “three-quarters” there were substituted the words “the whole” and the words “on licence” were omitted.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 33A inserted (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para.81; S.I. 1998/2327, art.2(1)(y)(2)(y).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 33A modified (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 120(1), Sch. 9 para. 12(4)(9); S.I. 1998/2327, art.2(1)(z).

S. 33A modified by S.I. 1998/2327, art. 5(3)(c).

F2 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 34 repealed (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 56(2), Sch.6; S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(p)(3)(a).

Prospective

[F3 34A Power to release short-term prisoners on licence. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, subsection (3) below applies where a short-term prisoner F4 . . . is serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of three months or more.

(2) Subsection (3) below does not apply where—

(a) the sentence is an extended sentence within the meaning of [F5 section 85 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000]];

(b) the sentence is for an offence under section 1 of the M1 Prisoners (Return to Custody) Act 1995;

(c) the sentence was imposed under [F5 paragraph [F6 4(1C)(d) or 5(1C)(d)] of Schedule 3 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000] in a case where the prisoner had failed to comply with a requirement of a curfew order;

(d) the prisoner is subject to a hospital order, hospital direction or transfer direction under section 37, 45A or 47 of the M2 Mental Health Act 1983;

[F7 (da) the prisoner is subject to the notification requirements of [F8 Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003] ;]

(e) the prisoner is liable to removal from the United Kingdom for the purposes of section 46 below;

(f) the prisoner has been released on licence under this section at any time and has been recalled to prison under section 38A(1)(a) below;

(g) the prisoner has been released on licence under this section or section 36 below during the currency of the sentence, and has been recalled to prison under section 39(1) or (2) below;

(h) the prisoner has been returned to prison under [F5 section 116 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000]at any time; or

(j) the interval between—

(i) the date on which the prisoner will have served the requisite period for the term of the sentence; and

(ii) the date on which he will have served one-half of the sentence,

is less than 14 days.

(3) After the prisoner has served the requisite period for the term of his sentence, the Secretary of State may, subject to section 37A below, release him on licence.

(4) In this section “the requisite period” means—

(a) for a term of three months or more but less than four months, a period of 30 days;

(b) for a term of four months or more but less than [F9 eighteen months] , a period equal to one-quarter of the term;

(c) for a term of [F10 eighteen months] or more, a period that is [F11 135 days] less than one-half of the term.

(5) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument—

(a) repeal the words “aged 18 or over” in subsection (1) above;

(b) amend the definition of “the requisite period” in subsection (4) above; and

(c) make such transitional provision as appears to him necessary or expedient in connection with the repeal or amendment.

(6) No order shall be made under subsection (5) above unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 34A inserted (28.01.1999) by 1998 c. 37, s. 99 (with Sch. 9 para. 10); S.I. 1998/3263, art. 3.

F4 Words in s. 34A(1) repealed (14.7.2003) by The Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Repeal of Age Restriction) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1691), art. 2

F5 Words in s. 34A(2)(a)(c)(h) substituted (25.8.2000) by 2000 c. 6, ss. 165, 168(1), Sch. 9

F6 Words in s. 34A(2)(c) substituted (prosp.) by 2000 c. 43, ss. 75, 80(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 104

F7 S. 34A(2)(da) inserted (1.3.2001) by 2000 c. 43, s. 65; S.I. 2001/340, art. 2

F8 Words in s. 34A(2)(da) substituted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), ss. 139, 141; Sch. 6 para. 30; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2

F9 Words in s. 34A(4)(b) substituted (14.7.2003) by The Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Amendment of Requisite Period) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1602), art. 3(1)

F10 Words in s. 34A(4)(c) substituted (14.7.2003) by The Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Amendment of Requisite Period) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1602), art. 3(2)

F11 Words in s. 34A(4)(c) substituted (14.7.2003) by The Release of Short-Term Prisoners on Licence (Amendment of Requisite Period) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1602), art. 3(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 34A modified (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 120(1), Sch. 9 para. 12(5)(9); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(z).

C6 S. 34A modified (temp. from 24.3.2005) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 8 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/950), arts. 2, 4, Sch. 2 para. 22

Marginal Citations

M1 1995 c.16.

M2 1983 c.20.

[F12 35 Power to release long-term and life prisoners. E+W

(1) After a long-term prisoner has served one-half of his sentence, the Secretary of State may, if recommended to do so by the Board, release him on licence.

F12 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F12 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F12 S. 35 repealed (1.10.1997 as regards s. 35(2)(3) otherwiseprosp.) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 56(2), 57(2), Sch.6 (subject to transitional provisions and savings in s. 56(1), Sch. 5 para. 1); S.I 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(p)(3)(b) (subject to transitional provisions and savings in art. 5) (but by 1998 c. 37, s. 120(2), Sch.10 the entries in the said Sch. 6 of 1997 c. 43 relating to ss. 33-51 and 65 of this Act are repealed (30.9.1998); S. I. 1998/2327, art.2(1)(aa)(3)(x)).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 35 modified (1.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/1829, art. 3.

Ss. 34-37 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), 57(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8, 9(2)(a), Sch. 5 paras. 9(2)(a), 10(2)(a); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 35 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), 57(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8, 9(2), Sch. 5 paras. 9(1)(a), 10(1)(b); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

C8 S. 35(1) amended (retrospectively) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (retrospectively) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 35(1) amended (1.10.1997) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 35(1) excluded (prosp.) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 56(1), 57(2), Sch. 5 para. 2(4) (by 1998 c. 37, s. 210(2), Sch. 10 the said Sch. 5 para. 2 was repealed (30.9.1998); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(aa)(3)(x)).

Commencement Information

I2 Pt. II (ss. 32-51) wholly in force at 1.10.1992 see s. 102(2)(3) and S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2.

[F13 36 Power to release prisoners on compassionate grounds. E+W

[F13 (1) The Secretary of State may at any time release a prisoner on licence if he is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the prisoner’s release on compassionate grounds.]]

(2) Before releasing a long-term F13 [. . . ]prisoner under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult the Board, unless the circumstances are such as to render such consultation impracticable.

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 36 repealed (1.10.1997 as regards s. 36(1) so far as relating to life prisoners, and words in s. 36(2) otherwiseprosp.) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 56(2), 57(2), Sch.6 (subject to transitional provisions and savings in s. 56(1), Sch. 5 para. 1); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(p)(3)(c) (subject to transitional provisions and savings in art. 5) (but by 1998 c. 37, s. 120(2), Sch. 10 the entries in the said Sch. 6 of 1997 c. 43 relating to ss. 33-51 and 65 of this Act are repealed (30.9. 1998); S.I. 1998/ 2327, art. 2(1)(aa)(3)(x)).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 Ss. 34-37 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8, 9(2)(a), Sch. 5 paras. 9(2)(a), 10(2)(a); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 36 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 44, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8(2), 9(2), Sch. 5 paras. 9(1)(a), 10(1)(b); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

Commencement Information

I3 Pt. II (ss. 32 - 51) wholly in force at 1.10.1992 see s. 102(2)(3) and S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2.

[F14 37 Duration and conditions of licences. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, where a short-term or long-term prisoner is released on licence, the licence shall, subject to any suspension under section 38(2) below or, as the case may be, any revocation under section 39(1) or (2) below, remain in force until the date on which he would (but for his release) have served three-quarters of his sentence.

(2) Where a prisoner whose sentence is for a term of less than twelve months is released on licence under section 36(1) above, subsection (1) above shall have effect as if for the reference to three-quarters of his sentence there were substituted a reference to one-half of that sentence.

F14 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A person subject to a licence shall comply with such conditions (which shall include on his release conditions as to his supervision by a probation officer) as may for the time being be specified in the licence; and the Secretary of State may make rules for regulating the supervision of any description of such persons.]

F14 (5) The Secretary of State shall not include on release, or subsequently insert, a condition in the licence of a long-term or life prisoner, or vary or cancel any such condition, except—

(a) in the case of the inclusion of a condition in the licence of a discretionary life prisoner, in accordance with recommendations of the Board; and

(b) in any other case, after consultation with the Board.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above, the Secretary of State shall be treated as having consulted the Board about a proposal to include, insert, vary or cancel a condition in any case if he has consulted the Board about the implementation of proposals of that description generally or in that class of case.

(7) The power to make rules under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 37 repealed (1.10.1997 in respect of s. 37(3), and s. 37(4)(5) so far as relating to life prisoners, otherwiseprosp.) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 56(2), 57(2), Sch.6 (subject to transitional provisions and savings in s. 56(1), Sch. 5 para. 1); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(p)(3)(d) (subject to transitional provisions and savings in art. 5).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 37 modified (1.10.1992) by S.I. 1992/1829, art. 3.

S. 37 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 44, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8(2)(4), 9(2)(b)(4), Sch. 5 paras. 9(1)(a)(b)(2)(b), 10(1)(b)(c)(2)(b); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

Ss. 34-37 applied (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 8, 9(2)(a), Sch. 5 paras. 9(2)(a), 10(2)(a); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1).

S. 37 modified (19.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/2327, art. 5(3)(d).

C11 S. 37(1)(2) amended (retrospectively) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (retrospectively) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200 , art. 2(1).

S. 37(1)(2) amended (1.10.1997) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 as modified (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, s. 42, Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(2); S.I. 1997/2200 , art. 2(1).

Commencement Information

I4 Pt. II (ss. 32 - 51) wholly in force at 1.10.1992 see s. 102(2)(3) and S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2.

Yn ddilys o 30/09/1998

[F15 F15 37A Curfew condition to be included in licence under section 34A. E+W

(1) A person shall not be released under section 34A(3) above unless the licence includes a condition (“the curfew condition”) which—

(a) requires the released person to remain, for periods for the time being specified in the condition, at a place for the time being so specified (which may be an approved probation hostel); and

(b) includes requirements for securing the electronic monitoring of his whereabouts during the periods for the time being so specified.

(2) The curfew condition may specify different places or different periods for different days, but shall not specify periods which amount to less than 9 hours in any one day (excluding for this purpose the first and last days of the period for which the condition is in force).

(3) The curfew condition shall remain in force until the date when the released person would (but for his release) have served one-half of his sentence.

(4) The curfew condition shall include provision for making a person responsible for monitoring the released person’s whereabouts during the periods for the time being specified in the condition; and a person who is made so responsible shall be of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

(5) The power conferred by subsection (4) above—

(a) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and

(b) shall include power to make different provision for different cases or classes of case or for different areas.

(6) Nothing in this section shall be taken to require the Secretary of State to ensure that arrangements are made for the electronic monitoring of released persons’ whereabouts in any particular part of England and Wales;

(7) In this section “approved probation hostel” has the same meaning as in the Probation Service Act 1993.]

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 37A inserted (30.9.1998 for certain purposes by S.I. 1998/2327 and 28.1.1999 to the extent that it is not already in force by S.I. 1998/3263) by 1998 c. 37, s. 100(1); S.I. 1998/2327, art.2(1)(u); S.I. 1998/3263, art.3.