Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015

11 Initial release and release after recall: life sentences

(1) In section 28(7)(c) of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (duty to release certain life prisoners), for “one-half of that sentence” substitute “the requisite custodial period (as defined in section 268 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003)”.

(2) In section 32 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (recall of life prisoners while on licence), after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A) The Board must not give a direction unless satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the life prisoner should remain in prison.”

(3) In section 128 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (power to change test for release on licence of certain prisoners), in subsection (3), after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) amend section 32 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (recall of IPP prisoners and others while on licence and further release),”.

(4) The amendment made by subsection (1) applies to a person sentenced before the day on which it comes into force as well as to a person sentenced on or after that day.

(5) The amendment made by subsection (2) applies in relation to a person recalled before the day on which it comes into force as well as in relation to a person recalled on or after that day.