The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

Duration of licences: prisoners serving indeterminate custodial sentences

22.—(1) This Article applies where a person who is serving an indeterminate custodial sentence is released on licence under Article 18 or 20.

(2) The licence shall, subject to any revocation under Article 28 or order under this Article, remain in force for the remainder of the prisoner’s life.

(3) In this Article “qualifying period” means the period of 10 years beginning with the date of the prisoner’s release.

(4) Where

(a) the qualifying period has expired, and

(b) the Parole Commissioners direct the Secretary of State to do so,

the Secretary of State shall order that the licence is to cease to have effect.

(5) Where—

(a) the qualifying period has expired; and

(b) if the prisoner has made a previous application under this paragraph, a period of at least 2 years has expired since the disposal of that application, or such shorter period as the Parole Commissioners may have recommended on the disposal of the last previous such application,

the prisoner may make an application to the Parole Commissioners under this paragraph.

(6) Where an application is made under paragraph (5), the Parole Commissioners—

(a) shall, if they are satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public from serious harm that the licence should remain in force, direct the Secretary of State to make an order under paragraph (4) that the licence is to cease to have effect;

(b) shall otherwise dismiss the application.