- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Criminal Justice Act 2003
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
Changes over time for: Section 244
Changes to legislation:
Criminal Justice Act 2003, Section 244 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 24 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 244:
- specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing SI 2012/2574, Sch. by S.I. 2012/2761 art. 2
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 256AZBA-256AZBC and cross-heading inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 62(1)
- s. 256AZBC(1) power to amend or apply conferred by 2012 c.10, s. 128(3A) (as inserted) by 2024 c. 21 s. 60(3)
- s. 150(aa) inserted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 26 para. 19(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 26 para. 19 omitted (11.12.2013) by virtue of 2013 c. 22, Sch. 16 para. 23(2); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(d))
- s. 150(ba) inserted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 26 para. 19(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 26 para. 19 omitted (11.12.2013) by virtue of 2013 c. 22, Sch. 16 para. 23(2); S.I. 2013/2981, art. 2(d))
- s. 151(A1) inserted by 2008 c. 4 s. 11(3)
- s. 151(1A) inserted by 2008 c. 4 s. 11(5)
- s. 151(1A)(b) word substituted by 2008 c. 4 Sch. 4 para. 76(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 151(1A) is still only prospectively inserted by 2008 c. 4, s. 11(5))
- s. 151(1A)(c) substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 151(1A) is still only prospectively inserted by 2008 c. 4, s. 11(5))
- s. 151(2A)(b) substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(4)
- s. 151(4A) inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(5)
- s. 151(8)(a) words substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(a)
- s. 151(8)(b) words inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(b)(i)
- s. 151(8)(b) words substituted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(b)(ii)
- s. 151(8)(c)-(f) inserted by 2009 c. 25 Sch. 17 para. 8(6)(c)
- s. 165(5) inserted by 2014 c. 12 s. 179(3)
- s. 237(1A) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(3)
- s. 237(1B)(f)(g) inserted by 2021 c. 11 Sch. 13 para. 40(b)
- s. 237A 237B inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(2)
- s. 237A power to amend conferred by 2012 c.10, s. 128(3)(aaza) (as inserted) by 2024 c. 21 s. 60(2)(b)
- s. 239A inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 8(1)
- s. 239A cross-heading inserted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 5
- s. 250(5C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 7(4)
- s. 250(5D) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 64(3)
- s. 255A(4A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(2)
- s. 255B(3A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(3)(b)
- s. 255B(3A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(5)
- s. 255B(4A)-(4C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(3)(d)
- s. 255C(3A) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(4)(b)
- s. 255C(3A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(6)
- s. 255C(4A)-(4C) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(4)(d)
- s. 256A(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 256A(1) by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(a)
- s. 256A(4A)(4B) inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(f)
- s. 256A(5)(6) substituted for s. 256A(5) by 2015 c. 2 s. 9(6)(g)
- s. 256AZA inserted by 2015 c. 2 s. 10(1)
- s. 256AZB(3) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 59(7)
- s. 257(3) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(4)
- s. 258(1A) inserted by 2006 c. 48 s. 34(5)
- s. 260(4)(aa) substituted for word by 2008 c. 4 s. 34(7)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 34(2)(4)(b)(7)(10) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of 2012 c. 10, s. 118(4)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d))
- s. 268A inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 70
- s. 327(4A)(ca) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 65
- Sch. 15B para. 49A omitted by S.I. 2019/780 reg. 26(4)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 21, 25, 26, 27, 30 revoked (1.12.2020) by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 28; S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)
- Sch. 15B para. 49B omitted by S.I. 2019/780 reg. 26(4)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Regs. 21, 25, 26, 27, 30 revoked (1.12.2020) by 2020 c. 17, Sch. 28; S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)
- Sch. 18B inserted by 2024 c. 21 Sch. 2
- Sch. 19 para. 2(2)(e) and word inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 74(3)(b)
- Sch. 19 para. 2(2A) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 74(4)
- Sch. 20B para. 34(6)(7) substituted for Sch. 20B para. 34(6) by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 3 para. 10
244Duty to release prisoners [F1not subject to special provision for release] E+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
(1)As soon as a fixed-term prisoner, other than a prisoner to whom section [F2243A [F3, [F4244ZA,] 244A] [F5, 246A]] [F6, 247 or 247A] applies, has served the requisite custodial period [F7for the purposes of this section], it is the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence under this section.
[F8(1ZA)Subsection (1) does not apply if—
(a)the prisoner’s case has been referred to the Board under section 244ZB, or
(b)a notice given to the prisoner under subsection (4) of that section is in force.]
[F9(1A)Subsection (1) does not apply if the prisoner has been released on licence under section 246 [F10or 248] and recalled under section 254 (provision for the release of such persons being made by sections 255B and 255C).]
F11(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)[F12For the purposes of this section] “the requisite custodial period” means—
(a)[F13in relation to a prisoner serving one sentence], one-half of his sentence,
F14(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F14(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d)in relation to a person serving two or more concurrent or consecutive sentences F15... , the period determined under sections 263(2) and [F16264(2B) or (2E)].
[F17(4)This section is subject to paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 25 and 28 of Schedule 20B (transitional cases).]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 244 heading inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 130(2)(a), 208(5)(m)
F2Words in s. 244(1) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 6(2)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
F3Word in s. 244(1) inserted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 5; S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
F4Word in s. 244(1) inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 130(2)(b), 208(5)(m)
F5Word in s. 244(1) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 125(2), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(e)
F6Words in s. 244(1) substituted (26.2.2020) by Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 10(4)
F7Words in s. 244(1) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 6(2)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
F8S. 244(1ZA) inserted (28.4.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 132(3), 208(4)(p)
F9S. 244(1A) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 114(2), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
F10Words in s. 244(1A) inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 9(2), 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 5); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(i)
F11S. 244(2) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 21(2); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
F12Words in s. 244(3) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
F13Words in s. 244(3)(a) substituted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 3 para. 18 (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(u)
F14S. 244(3)(b)(c) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 21(3)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
F15Words in s. 244(3)(d) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 21(3)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
F16Words in s. 244(3)(d) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(4), 208(5)(p)
F17S. 244(4) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 17 para. 2; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(o)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 245(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 245(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
C2Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 244(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 244(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
C3Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied (29.6.2021) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2(3B) (as inserted by Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(r), Sch. 11 para. 2)
C4S. 244 modified (10.9.2024 for specified purposes, 22.10.2024 in so far as not already in force) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/844), arts. 1(2), 3
C5S. 244(3)(a) modified (1.4.2020) by The Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/158), arts. 1, 3 (with art. 5)
Commencement Information
I1S. 244 partly in force; s. 244 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 244(1)(2)(3)(c)(d) in force for certain purposes at 26.1.2004 by S.I. 2003/3282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 244(1)(2)(3)(a)(d) in force at 4.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 19 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThe Whole Chapter
PrintThe Whole Cross Heading
PrintThis Section only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Part as a PDF
The Whole Part you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open Schedules only
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
Explanatory Notes
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.