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03 Jun 2020

Article by: Zaki Hashmi

The Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020 came into force on 1 April 2020 and has changed the basis on which certain prisoners are released from custody.

The new provisions apply to specific offences of a violent or sexual nature for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment:

• Terrorism
• Attempted murder
• Conspiracy to murder
• Manslaughter
• Robbery
• Grievous bodily harm with intent
• Arson
• Kidnap
• False imprisonment
• Serious firearms offences
• Rape
• Other serious sexual offences

Prisoners who received a custodial sentence of seven years or longer will not be released until they have served two thirds of their sentence. They can therefore expect to spend significantly longer in custody than was previously the case. The provisions do not apply to persons under the age of 18 at the time of sentence.

 Please contact one of our solicitors for further information on 0344 587 9996.