Part 12

Sentencing
Chapter 6

Release, licences, supervision and recall

Unconditional release

Duty to release certain prisoners serving less than 12 months
243A
1
This section applies to a fixed-term prisoner if—
a
the prisoner is serving a sentence which is for a term of 1 day, or
b
the prisoner—
i
is serving a sentence which is for a term of less than 12 months, and
ii
is aged under 18 on the last day of the requisite custodial period.
1A
This section also applies to a fixed-term prisoner if—
a
the prisoner is serving a sentence which is for a term of less than 12 months, and
b
the sentence was imposed in respect of an offence committed before the day on which section 1 of the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 came into force.
1B
But this section does not apply to a prisoner to whom section 247A applies.
2
As soon as a prisoner to whom this section applies has served the requisite custodial period for the purposes of this section, it is the duty of the Secretary of State to release that person unconditionally.
2A
Subsection (2) does not apply if—
a
the prisoner’s case has been referred to the Board under section 244ZB, or
b
a notice given to the prisoner under subsection (4) of that section is in force.
3
For the purposes of this section “the requisite custodial period” is—
a
in relation to a person serving one sentence
, one-half of the sentence, and
b
in relation to a person serving two or more concurrent or consecutive sentences, the period determined under sections 263(2) and
264(2B) or (2E)
.
4
This section is subject to—
a
section 256B (supervision of young offenders after release), and
b
paragraph 8 of Schedule 20B (transitional cases).
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied to any person serving a sentence for an offence committed before 4 April 2005 (whenever that sentence was or is imposed) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 121(1), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
Word in s. 243A heading inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(u)
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 244(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 244(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied (29.6.2021) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2(3B) (as inserted by Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(r), Sch. 11 para. 2)
S. 243A(2A) inserted (28.4.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 132(2), 208(4)(p)
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 7 para. 2(a); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(x)
S. 243A(1)(1A) substituted for s. 243A(1) (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), ss. 1, 22(1) (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(a)
S. 243A excluded by International Criminal Court Act 2001 (c. 17), Sch. 7 para. 3(1) (as amended (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 4; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l))
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 heading substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 16; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
S. 243A(1B) inserted (26.2.2020) by Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020 (c. 3), ss. 2(2), 10(4)
S. 243A and cross-heading inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 111(1), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
S. 243A applied by Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43), Sch. 1 paras. 8(2)(a), 9(2)(a) (as amended (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 2; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l))
Word in Pt. 12 Ch. 6 heading inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 3 para. 15 (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(u)
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 245(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 245(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Words in s. 243A(3) substituted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 144(3), 208(5)(p)
S. 243A modified (10.9.2024 for specified purposes, 22.10.2024 in so far as not already in force) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/844), arts. 1(2), 3
Words in s. 243A(3)(a) substituted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 3 para. 17 (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(u)
Pt. 12 (ss. 142-305) modified (4.4.2005) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Sentencing) (Transitory Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/643), art. 3 (as amended (E.W.) (3.12.2012) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Consequential and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2824), regs. 1, 3(1) (with reg. 3(2)) and as amended (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), s. 5(2)(3), Sch. 2 para. 139; S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2)
Pt. 12 modified (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 183(4), 383 (as amended (1.4.2008) by The Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/912), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 23(2)(b)); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4