By law any prisoner serving a life sentence who has completed the minimum term (tariff) set by the Court at the point of sentence is eligible to be considered for release, but will actually be released only when the Parole Board concludes that it is no longer necessary on the grounds of public protection for them to remain confined.<\/p>
The total number of prisoners serving a life sentence that had their first parole hearing on or after tariff expiry; and were (1) directed for release, or (2) not directed for release, following the hearing, is shown in the following table;<\/p>
<\/p><\/td> | Number of Life Sentenced Offenders<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Release<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Not directed for release<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2009<\/p><\/td> *<\/p><\/td> *<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2010<\/p><\/td> 40<\/p><\/td> 32<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2011<\/p><\/td> 70<\/p><\/td> 64<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2012<\/p><\/td> 77<\/p><\/td> 31<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2013<\/p><\/td> 91<\/p><\/td> 30<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2014<\/p><\/td> 74<\/p><\/td> 41<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 87<\/p><\/td> 69<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 119<\/p><\/td> 98<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 119<\/p><\/td> 64<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 110<\/p><\/td> 76<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019<\/p><\/td> 108<\/p><\/td> 89<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020<\/p><\/td> 133<\/p><\/td> 72<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021<\/p><\/td> 106<\/p><\/td> 93<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> *Records from before 2010 could not be located using administrative systems.<\/p> Notes:<\/p> Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that this data has been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by HM Prison & Probation Service. Consequently, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4941", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bellamy"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bellamy"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-01-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-01-25T16:16:49.58Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-01-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parole"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government how many people serving a life sentence had their first parole hearing on or after tariff expiry; and, for each year since 2009, how many of these were (1) directed for release, or (2) not directed for release, following the hearing.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bradley"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bradley"}
], "uin" : "HL4656"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281880", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281880/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " For offenders serving an IPP sentence, the policy change did not lead to an extended minimum period for all before suspension of supervision can be considered. In fact, in the new policy, for some IPP cases, the minimum period is less than it was previously.<\/p> <\/p> This policy change represents a clear, fair and consistent position for those subject to indeterminate licences in the community and supports my primary responsibility to protect the public.<\/p> <\/p> The development or amendment of all justice policy frameworks incudes significant internal consultation. No non-Government organisations were consulted.<\/p> <\/p> The revised policy framework, \u2018Managing Parole Eligible Offenders on Licence\u2019 was disseminated across HM Prison and Probation Service via internal communications, which included a leaflet for those serving a qualifying sentence; it is also published and available in the public domain. It falls to probation officers in the National Probation Service to discuss any implications of a policy change directly with those affected.<\/p> <\/p> The minimum period of supervision in the previous policy of either four or 10 years, depending on certain factors relating to the offence and notoriety, applied to those offenders serving life and Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences. Under the previous policy, anyone serving a life sentence for the murder of an adult or for some other serious offences, had to serve a minimum of four continuous years on licence in the community before becoming eligible for consideration for the supervision requirements in the licence to be suspended. The change in policy brought such individuals into line with all others serving a life sentence, in that they must now spend 10 continuous years on licence in the community before becoming eligible for supervision to be suspended, unless exceptional circumstances apply. This change was necessary both to enhance public protection and to ensure public confidence with respect to offenders who had committed murder.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4901", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL12694"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-02-11T17:43:55.883Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-01-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parole"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their guidance Managing parole-eligible offenders on licence policy framework, published on 11 November 2020, which (1) non-government organisations, and (2) individuals, were consulted prior to their decision to extend the qualifying period for suspension of supervision periods for people serving (a) a life sentence of between four years and 10 years, and (b) an imprisonment for public protection sentence of between four years and five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bradley"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bradley"}
], "uin" : "HL12693"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281881", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1281881/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " For offenders serving an IPP sentence, the policy change did not lead to an extended minimum period for all before suspension of supervision can be considered. In fact, in the new policy, for some IPP cases, the minimum period is less than it was previously.<\/p> <\/p> This policy change represents a clear, fair and consistent position for those subject to indeterminate licences in the community and supports my primary responsibility to protect the public.<\/p> <\/p> The development or amendment of all justice policy frameworks incudes significant internal consultation. No non-Government organisations were consulted.<\/p> <\/p> The revised policy framework, \u2018Managing Parole Eligible Offenders on Licence\u2019 was disseminated across HM Prison and Probation Service via internal communications, which included a leaflet for those serving a qualifying sentence; it is also published and available in the public domain. It falls to probation officers in the National Probation Service to discuss any implications of a policy change directly with those affected.<\/p> <\/p> The minimum period of supervision in the previous policy of either four or 10 years, depending on certain factors relating to the offence and notoriety, applied to those offenders serving life and Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences. Under the previous policy, anyone serving a life sentence for the murder of an adult or for some other serious offences, had to serve a minimum of four continuous years on licence in the community before becoming eligible for consideration for the supervision requirements in the licence to be suspended. The change in policy brought such individuals into line with all others serving a life sentence, in that they must now spend 10 continuous years on licence in the community before becoming eligible for supervision to be suspended, unless exceptional circumstances apply. This change was necessary both to enhance public protection and to ensure public confidence with respect to offenders who had committed murder.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4901", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL12693"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-02-11T17:43:55.93Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-01-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parole"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their guidance Managing parole-eligible offenders on licence policy framework, published on 11 November 2020, how their decision to extend the qualifying periods for the suspension of licence conditions has been communicated to people (1) in custody, and (2) in the community, who are (a) serving a life sentence, and (b) on an imprisonment for public protection sentence.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bradley"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bradley"}
], "uin" : "HL12694"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100579", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100579/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All those due to be released on licence must have explained to them the conditions of their licence, what they are required to do upon release, and the implications of non-compliance. This is explained by a member of the prison staff prior to release, with the offender asked to sign their licence to confirm that they have understood this. It is explained again following release, by their supervising officer from the probation service responsible for managing their licence. These requirements are set out clearly in Prison Service Instruction 18/2014, and Probation Instruction 11/2014.<\/p> <\/p> In addition, the Ministry of Justice has produced an \u2018easy read\u2019 guide to licences to enable staff to explain the licence conditions to those who have learning disabilities in as clear a way as possible. These documents contain simple text and illustrations to help the understanding of an offender who may otherwise have difficulty comprehending the requirements made of them on release.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-05T17:32:28.0799629Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parole"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that, when a person with learning disabilities is released from custody on licence, the person understands (1) the licence conditions, (2) what is expected of them, and (3) the implications of non-compliance.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/452", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bradley"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bradley"}
], "uin" : "HL2316"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 4, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}
|