Crime (Sentences) Act 1997

Release on licence E+W

28 Duty to release certain life prisoners. E+W

[F1 (1A) In this Chapter—

(a) references to a life prisoner to whom this section applies are references to a life prisoner in respect of whom an order has been made under subsection (2) of section 82A of the M1 Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 or a direction under subsection (5) of that section has been given or will be required to be given at the appropriate stage; and

(b) references to the relevant part of his sentence are references to the part of his sentence specified in the order or direction or, in the case of a life prisoner in respect of whom a direction under subsection (5) of that section has not been given but will be required to be given at the appropriate stage, the whole of his sentence,

and in this section “appropriate stage”, in relation to such a direction, has the same meaning as in subsection (6) of that section.

(1B) But if a life prisoner is serving two or more life sentences—

(a) he is not to be treated for the purposes of this Chapter as a life prisoner to whom this section applies unless such an order or direction has been made or given in respect of each of those sentences or such a direction will be required to be given at the appropriate stage; and

(b) the provisions of subsections (5) to (8) below do not apply in relation to him until he has served the relevant part of each of them.

(5) As soon as—

(a) a life prisoner to whom this section applies has served the relevant part of his sentence; 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 [F2 he 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 M2 Prison Act 1952.

F3 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 28(1A)(1B)(5)(a) substituted (30.11.2000 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 7 para. 145 of the substituting Act) for s. 28(1)-(5)(a) by 2000 c. 43, s. 74, Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 136(a)

F2 Words in s. 28(7)(c) substituted (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 para. 130(2); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(2)(ll)

F3 S. 28(9) repealed (30.11.2000 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 7 para. 145 and notes to Sch. 8 of the repealing Act) by 2000 c. 43, ss. 74, 75, Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 136(b), Sch. 8

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 28: 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(1)

C2 S. 28(1B) modified (30.11.2000) by 2000 c. 43, ss. 74, 80(3)(d), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 146-148

Marginal Citations

M1 2000 c. 6.

M2 1952 c.52.

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.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 29: 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(1)

C4 S. 29(1) modified (prosp.) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2 (as modified by 1997 c. 43, ss. 42, 57(2), Sch. 2 paras. 4(1)(5))

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.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 30: 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(1)