http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/1998-07-28Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998An Act to make provision about the release on licence of certain persons serving sentences of imprisonment in Northern Ireland.1998-07-28texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2011-05-271998-07-28 Eligibility for release Applications.31A prisoner may apply to Commissioners for a declaration that he is eligible for release in accordance with the provisions of this Act.2The Commissioners shall grant the application if (and only if)—athe prisoner is serving a sentence of imprisonment for a fixed term in Northern Ireland and the first three of the following four conditions are satisfied, orbthe prisoner is serving a sentence of imprisonment for life in Northern Ireland and the following four conditions are satisfied.3The first condition is that the sentence—awas passed in Northern Ireland for a qualifying offence, andbis one of imprisonment for life or for a term of at least five years.4The second condition is that the prisoner is not a supporter of a specified organisation.5The third condition is that, if the prisoner were released immediately, he would not be likely—ato become a supporter of a specified organisation, orbto become concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.6The fourth condition is that, if the prisoner were released immediately, he would not be a danger to the public.7A qualifying offence is an offence which—awas committed before 10th April 1998,bwas when committed a scheduled offence within the meaning of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973, 1978, 1991 or 1996, andcwas not the subject of a certificate of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland that it was not to be treated as a scheduled offence in the case concerned.8A specified organisation is an organisation specified by order of the Secretary of State; and he shall specify any organisation which he believes—ais concerned in terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland, or in promoting or encouraging it, andbhas not established or is not maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire.9In applying subsection (8)(b) the Secretary of State shall in particular take into account whether an organisation—ais committed to the use now and in the future of only democratic and peaceful means to achieve its objectives;bhas ceased to be involved in any acts of violence or of preparation for violence;cis directing or promoting acts of violence by other organisations;dis co-operating fully with any Commission of the kind referred to in section 7 of the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 in implementing the Decommissioning section of the agreement reached at multi-party talks on Northern Ireland set out in Command Paper 3883.10The Secretary of State shall from time to time review the list of organisations specified under subsection (8); and if he believes—athat paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection does not apply to a specified organisation, orbthat paragraphs (a) and (b) apply to an organisation which is not specified,he shall make a new order under subsection (8).1973 c. 53. 1978 c. 5. 1991 c. 24. 1996 c. 22. 1997 c. 7.
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<ukm:AffectedTitle>Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998</ukm:AffectedTitle>
<ukm:AffectedProvisions>
<ukm:Section xmlns:err="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/error" Ref="section-13A" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/13A" err:Ref="Section missing in legislation" Missing="true">s. 13A</ukm:Section>
</ukm:AffectedProvisions>
<ukm:AffectingTitle>Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023</ukm:AffectingTitle>
<ukm:AffectingProvisions>
<ukm:Section Ref="schedule-12" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/schedule/12">Sch. 12 </ukm:Section>
<ukm:Section Ref="schedule-12-paragraph-4" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/schedule/12/paragraph/4">para. 4</ukm:Section>
</ukm:AffectingProvisions>
<ukm:Savings>
<ukm:Section Ref="section-61" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/section/61">s. 61</ukm:Section>
<ukm:Section Ref="schedule-12" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/schedule/12">Sch. 12 </ukm:Section>
<ukm:Section Ref="schedule-12-paragraph-1-2" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/schedule/12/paragraph/1/2">para. 1(2)</ukm:Section>
</ukm:Savings>
<ukm:CommencementAuthority>
<ukm:Section Ref="section-63-4" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2023/41/section/63/4">s. 63(4)</ukm:Section>
</ukm:CommencementAuthority>
<ukm:InForceDates>
<ukm:InForce Applied="false" Prospective="true" Qualification=""/>
</ukm:InForceDates>
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<ukm:Alternatives>
<ukm:Alternative Date="2008-03-02" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/pdfs/ukpga_19980035_en.pdf" Title="Print Version"/>
</ukm:Alternatives>
<ukm:Statistics>
<ukm:TotalParagraphs Value="52"/>
<ukm:BodyParagraphs Value="23"/>
<ukm:ScheduleParagraphs Value="29"/>
<ukm:AttachmentParagraphs Value="0"/>
<ukm:TotalImages Value="0"/>
</ukm:Statistics>
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<Primary>
<Body DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/body/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/body" NumberOfProvisions="23" RestrictStartDate="1998-07-28" RestrictEndDate="2008-10-01">
<Pblock DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/crossheading/eligibility-for-release/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/crossheading/eligibility-for-release" NumberOfProvisions="7" RestrictExtent="N.I." RestrictStartDate="1998-07-28" id="crossheading-eligibility-for-release">
<Title> Eligibility for release</Title>
<P1group RestrictStartDate="1998-07-28" ConfersPower="true">
<Title> Applications.</Title>
<P1 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3" id="section-3">
<Pnumber>3</Pnumber>
<P1para>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/1/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/1" id="section-3-1">
<Pnumber>1</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>A prisoner may apply to Commissioners for a declaration that he is eligible for release in accordance with the provisions of this Act.</Text>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2" id="section-3-2">
<Pnumber>2</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The Commissioners shall grant the application if (and only if)—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2/a" id="section-3-2-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>the prisoner is serving a sentence of imprisonment for a fixed term in Northern Ireland and the first three of the following four conditions are satisfied, or</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/2/b" id="section-3-2-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>the prisoner is serving a sentence of imprisonment for life in Northern Ireland and the following four conditions are satisfied.</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3" id="section-3-3">
<Pnumber>3</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The first condition is that the sentence—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3/a" id="section-3-3-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>was passed in Northern Ireland for a qualifying offence, and</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/3/b" id="section-3-3-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>is one of imprisonment for life or for a term of at least five years.</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/4/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/4" id="section-3-4">
<Pnumber>4</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The second condition is that the prisoner is not a supporter of a specified organisation.</Text>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5" id="section-3-5">
<Pnumber>5</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The third condition is that, if the prisoner were released immediately, he would not be likely—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5/a" id="section-3-5-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>to become a supporter of a specified organisation, or</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/5/b" id="section-3-5-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>to become concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland.</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/6/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/6" id="section-3-6">
<Pnumber>6</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The fourth condition is that, if the prisoner were released immediately, he would not be a danger to the public.</Text>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7" id="section-3-7">
<Pnumber>7</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>A qualifying offence is an offence which—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/a" id="section-3-7-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>was committed before 10th April 1998,</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/b" id="section-3-7-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>
was when committed a scheduled offence within the meaning of the
<CommentaryRef Ref="c878114"/>
Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973,
<CommentaryRef Ref="c878115"/>
1978,
<CommentaryRef Ref="c878116"/>
1991 or
<CommentaryRef Ref="c878117"/>
1996, and
</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/c/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/7/c" id="section-3-7-c">
<Pnumber>c</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>was not the subject of a certificate of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland that it was not to be treated as a scheduled offence in the case concerned.</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8" id="section-3-8">
<Pnumber>8</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>A specified organisation is an organisation specified by order of the Secretary of State; and he shall specify any organisation which he believes—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8/a" id="section-3-8-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>is concerned in terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland, or in promoting or encouraging it, and</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/8/b" id="section-3-8-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>has not established or is not maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire.</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9" id="section-3-9">
<Pnumber>9</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>In applying subsection (8)(b) the Secretary of State shall in particular take into account whether an organisation—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/a" id="section-3-9-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>is committed to the use now and in the future of only democratic and peaceful means to achieve its objectives;</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/b" id="section-3-9-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>has ceased to be involved in any acts of violence or of preparation for violence;</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/c/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/c" id="section-3-9-c">
<Pnumber>c</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>is directing or promoting acts of violence by other organisations;</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/d/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/9/d" id="section-3-9-d">
<Pnumber>d</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>
is co-operating fully with any Commission of the kind referred to in section 7 of the
<CommentaryRef Ref="c878118"/>
Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 in implementing the Decommissioning section of the agreement reached at multi-party talks on Northern Ireland set out in Command Paper 3883.
</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
</P2para>
</P2>
<P2 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10" id="section-3-10">
<Pnumber>10</Pnumber>
<P2para>
<Text>The Secretary of State shall from time to time review the list of organisations specified under subsection (8); and if he believes—</Text>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10/a/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10/a" id="section-3-10-a">
<Pnumber>a</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>that paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection does not apply to a specified organisation, or</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<P3 DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10/b/1998-07-28" IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/35/section/3/10/b" id="section-3-10-b">
<Pnumber>b</Pnumber>
<P3para>
<Text>that paragraphs (a) and (b) apply to an organisation which is not specified,</Text>
</P3para>
</P3>
<Text>he shall make a new order under subsection (8).</Text>
</P2para>
</P2>
</P1para>
</P1>
</P1group>
</Pblock>
</Body>
</Primary>
<Commentaries>
<Commentary id="c878114" Type="M">
<Para>
<Text>
<Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1973/53" id="c00002" Year="1973" Class="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Number="53">1973 c. 53</Citation>
.
</Text>
</Para>
</Commentary>
<Commentary id="c878115" Type="M">
<Para>
<Text>
<Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1978/5" id="c00003" Year="1978" Class="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Number="5">1978 c. 5</Citation>
.
</Text>
</Para>
</Commentary>
<Commentary id="c878116" Type="M">
<Para>
<Text>
<Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1991/24" id="c00004" Year="1991" Class="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Number="24">1991 c. 24</Citation>
.
</Text>
</Para>
</Commentary>
<Commentary id="c878117" Type="M">
<Para>
<Text>
<Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1996/22" id="c00005" Year="1996" Class="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Number="22">1996 c. 22</Citation>
.
</Text>
</Para>
</Commentary>
<Commentary id="c878118" Type="M">
<Para>
<Text>
<Citation URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1997/7" id="c00006" Year="1997" Class="UnitedKingdomPublicGeneralAct" Number="7">1997 c. 7</Citation>
.
</Text>
</Para>
</Commentary>
</Commentaries>
</Legislation>