Explanatory Memorandum

Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

2005 No. 1965

6.Commentary on Provisions

Prisons, etc

6.2.Articles 9 to 13provide for amendments to existing prisons legislation. In summary they provide for a technical amendment to affirm that the risk test applied prior to the release of life prisoners and to recalled life licensees being considered for re-release is the same; the renaming of Prison Boards of Visitors and Visiting Committees as Independent Monitoring Boards (in line with changes in England and Wales) along with the removal of obsolete roles for the Boards in medical tests and prison transfers; and the future availability of legal aid for representation at separated prisoner disciplinary hearings at which loss of remission may be awarded.