0Sentences for young people
People under 18 get different sentences
to adults.
Detention and Training Order
A Detention and Training Order can be given to
someone aged between 12 and 17.
They last between 4 months and 2 years.
The first half of a Detention and Training Order
is served in custody, the second half is served in the community.
Violent or sexual crimes
For severe crimes - usually violent or sexual -
young people can get an ‘extended sentence’. They could spend a long
time in custody, and when released they’ll be put under supervision
for a long time (eg being tagged).
Murder
For murder, the court sets the minimum amount of
time to be spent in custody. The young person can’t apply for
parole
before this time.
When released, the young person will be kept under
supervision for the rest of their life.
Other serious crimes
Sometimes the sentence for a young person can last
as long as the sentence for an adult for the same offence (but not
longer). This includes
life sentences.
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When a prisoner is released depends on:
- the length of their sentence
- their behaviour in prison
- any time spent on remand (waiting for their trial)
If the prisoner has a fixed term (determinate) sentence
A prisoner serving a determinate sentence is normally released
automatically halfway through their sentence.
If their sentence is 12 months or more, they will be released
on probation.
A Parole Board is not involved.
When a Parole Board reviews a case
A Parole Board only reviews a case if the prisoner’s sentence
was more than 4 years and given for a serious violent or sexual crime committed
before 4 April 2005.
The prisoner must apply for parole.
A prisoner can ask their prison offender supervisor or their
solicitor if they’re unsure when they can apply for parole.
A Parole Board will then discuss the case and decide if the
person can be released.
The Parole Board is independent and not part of the Prison
Service.
If the prisoner has a non fixed term (indeterminate) or life
sentence
Prisoners serving an indeterminate sentence will have their
case automatically reviewed by the Parole Board. This happens around 6 months
before the end of their tariff (the minimum length of time the person was
ordered to stay in prison).
The decision whether to release a prisoner is made at a Parole
Board hearing.
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If a person’s found guilty of murder, a court must
give them a life sentence.
A court may choose to give a life sentence for
serious offences like:
A life sentence lasts for the rest of a person’s
life – if they’re released from prison and commit another crime
they can be sent back to prison at any time.
Whole life term
A whole life term means there’s no minimum term
set by the judge, and the person’s never considered for release.
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Probation
means you’re serving your sentence but you’re not in prison.
You could be put on probation because:
- you’re serving a community sentence
- you have been released from prison on licence
or on parole
While on probation, you may have to:
- do unpaid work
- complete an education or training course
- get treatment for addictions, like drugs or
alcohol
- have regular meetings with an ‘offender
manager’
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