47Curfew licences
(1)Subsection (2) applies in relation to a custody and community prisoner who—
(a)is serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 3 months or more, and
(b)is of a description specified by the Scottish Ministers by order.
(2)The Scottish Ministers may release the prisoner on licence (a “curfew licence”) before the expiry of the custody part of the prisoner’s sentence.
(3)A curfew licence must include a curfew condition.
(4)The Scottish Ministers may release a prisoner on curfew licence only—
(a)after the later of—
(i)the day on which the prisoner has served the greater of one-quarter or four weeks of the prisoner’s sentence, or
(ii)the day falling 135 days before the expiry of the custody part of the sentence, and
(b)before the day falling 14 days before the expiry of the custody part.
(5)In determining whether to release a prisoner on curfew licence, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the need to—
(a)protect the public at large,
(b)prevent re-offending by the prisoner, and
(c)secure the successful re-integration of the prisoner into the community.
(6)The Scottish Ministers may include in a curfew licence such other conditions as they consider appropriate.
(7)Where a prisoner is released on curfew licence, the prisoner must, while the licence is in force, comply with the conditions included in the licence.
(8)A curfew licence remains in force until the expiry of the custody part of the prisoner’s sentence.
(9)An order under subsection (1)(b) may include provision—
(a)applying provisions of this Part to curfew licences subject to modifications specified in the order,
(b)amending the periods of time mentioned in subsection (4).