244Duty to release prisonersE+W
(1)As soon as a fixed-term prisoner, other than a prisoner to whom section [F1243A[F2, 246A] or] 247 applies, has served the requisite custodial period [F3for the purposes of this section], it is the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence under this section.
[F4(1A)Subsection (1) does not apply if the prisoner has been released on licence under section 246 and recalled under section 254 (provision for the release of such persons being made by sections 255B and 255C).]
F5(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)[F6For the purposes of this section] “the requisite custodial period” means—
(a)in relation to a person serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of twelve months or more or [F7a] determinate sentence of detention under section 91 [F8or 96] of the Sentencing Act [F9for such a term], one-half of his sentence,
F10(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d)in relation to a person serving two or more concurrent or consecutive sentences F11... , the period determined under sections 263(2) and 264(2).
[F12(4)This section is subject to paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 25 and 28 of Schedule 20B (transitional cases).]
Textual Amendments
F1Words 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)
F2Word 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)
F3Words 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)
F4S. 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)
F5S. 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)
F6Words 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)
F7Word in s. 244(3)(a) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 6(3)(b)(i); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
F8Words in s. 244(3)(a) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 117(4), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
F9Words in s. 244(3)(a) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 6(3)(b)(ii); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
F10S. 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)
F11Words 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)
F12S. 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)
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)