3 Power to release prisoners on compassionate grounds.S
(1)The Secretary of State may at any time, if satisfied that there are compassionate grounds justifying the release of a person serving a sentence of imprisonment, release him on licence.
(2)Before so releasing any long-term prisoner or any life prisoner, the Secretary of State shall consult the Parole Board unless the circumstances are such as to render consultation impracticable.
(3)The release of a person under subsection (1) above shall not constitute release for the purpose of a supervised release order.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 3 excluded (17.12.2001) by 2001 asp 13, s. 24(c) (with s. 29); S.S.I. 2001/456, art. 2
C2Ss. 1-3, 5, 6(1)(a)(b)(i)(iii), 9, 11-13, 15-21, 27, Schs. 2 & 6 extended (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, 56(1), Sch. 1 paras. 10(2)(5), 11(2)(4), Sch. 5 paras. 11(1)(3), 12(1); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(n) (subject to art. 5 of the said S.I.) (which amendment fell (30.9.1998) by reason of the repeal of Sch. 5 paras. 11(1), 12(1) by 1998 c. 37, s. 120(2), Sch. 10; S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(aa)(3)(x) (subject to arts. 5-8 of the said S.I.)
Ss. 1(4), 2, 2(4), 3, 11-13, 15, 17, 18, 19 extended (1.10.1997) by 1997 c. 43, ss. 41, 56(1), Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 10(2)(a)(5)(a)(6)(7), 11(2)(a)(4)(a)(6); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(g) (subject to art. 5) (which amending provisions were amended (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 119, Sch. 8 paras. 135(a)(i)(d)(6)(a)(i)(b); S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1)(y)(2)(oo) (subject to arts. 5-8))
S. 3 applied (with modifications) (1.10.1997) by S.I. 1997/1776, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1 paras. 5, 6, 7 (with transitional provisions in art. 3, Sch. 2); S.I. 1997/2200, art. 2(1)(g)