Prison Law

Will I have to serve the full term of imprisonment imposed by the court?

Certain sentences such as imprisonment for public protection or life sentences have specific rules determining when the individual is eligible for release, and whether they can in fact be released in the circumstances. However, as a general rule, where you are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, you will serve half of that time in detention and the remaining period on licence in the community.

Can I be legally represented at a Parole Board hearing?

Yes, while decisions of the parole board often used to be made in private, without the prisoner having the opportunity to fully consider and challenge the information that it is based on, nowadays almost all decisions relating to release and recall are subject to an oral hearing. This means that prisoners, or those subject to licence, are able to obtain legal advice in advance of any such hearing and can have legal representation for the hearing itself.

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