244Duty to release prisonersE+W
(1)As soon as a fixed-term prisoner, other than a prisoner to whom section [F1243A[F2, 244A][F3, 246A] or] 247 applies, has served the requisite custodial period [F4for the purposes of this section], it is the duty of the Secretary of State to release him on licence under this section.
[F5(1A)Subsection (1) does not apply if the prisoner has been released on licence under section 246 [F6or 248] and recalled under section 254 (provision for the release of such persons being made by sections 255B and 255C).]
F7(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)[F8For the purposes of this section] “the requisite custodial period” means—
(a)[F9in relation to a prisoner serving one sentence], 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 (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
F3Word 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)
F4Words 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)
F5S. 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)
F6Words 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)
F7S. 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)
F8Words 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)
F9Words 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)
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)