Part 12

Sentencing
Chapter 6

Release, licences, supervision and recall

Release on licence

Power to release prisoners on licence before required to do so
246
1
Subject to subsections (2) to (4), the Secretary of State may—
a
release on licence under this section a fixed-term prisoner , other than one to whom section 244ZA, 244A, 246A, 247, 247A or 247B or paragraph 4 or 24 of Schedule 20B applies, ... at any time during the period of 365 days ending with the day on which the prisoner will have served the requisite custodial period, ...
b. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Subsection (1)(a) does not apply in relation to a prisoner unless—
a
the length of the requisite custodial period is at least 6 weeks, and
b
he has served—
i
at least 4 weeks of that period, and
ii
at least one-half of that period.
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
Subsection (1) does not apply where—
a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
aa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ac
the prisoner is one to whom section 244ZA would apply if—
i
section 244ZA(4)(c), (5)(c) and (6)(c) were omitted,
ii
the reference in section 244ZA(5)(a) to section 262 of the Sentencing Code were read as including a reference to section 96 of the PCC(S)A 2000, and
iii
the reference in section 244ZA(6)(a) to section 250 of the Sentencing Code were read as including a reference to section 91 of the PCC(S)A 2000,
b
the sentence is for an offence under section 1 of the Prisoners (Return to Custody) Act 1995 (c. 16),
c
the prisoner is subject to a hospital order, hospital direction or transfer direction under section 37, 45A or 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20),
d
the sentence was imposed by virtue of paragraph 9(1)(b) or (c) or 10(1)(b) or (c) of Schedule 8 , or paragraph 10(5)(c) or (d) or 11(2)(c) or (d) of Schedule 10 to the Sentencing Code, in a case where the prisoner has failed to comply with a curfew requirement of a community order,
e
the prisoner is subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42),
f
the prisoner is liable to removal from the United Kingdom,
fa
the prisoner’s case has been referred to the Board under section 244ZB,
fb
a notice given to the prisoner under subsection (4) of that section is in force,
g
the prisoner has been released on licence under this section during the currency of the sentence, and has been recalled to prison under section 255(1)(a) (and the revocation has not been cancelled under section 255(3)),
ga
the following apply—
i
the prisoner has been released on licence under this section in relation to a previous sentence and has been recalled to prison under section 255(1)(a) (and the revocation of the licence has not been cancelled under section 255(3)), and
ii
the requisite custodial period in relation to the previous sentence ended less than 2 years before the day on which the current sentence began,
gb
the following apply—
i
the prisoner has been released on licence under section 34A of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in relation to a previous sentence and has been recalled to prison under section 38A(1)(a) of that Act (and the revocation of the licence has not been cancelled under section 38A(3) of that Act), and
ii
the requisite custodial period in relation to the previous sentence ended less than 2 years before the day on which the current sentence began,
h
the prisoner has been released on licence under section 248 during the currency of the sentence, and has been recalled to prison under section 254, ...
ha
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or
i
in the case of a prisoner to whom section 240ZA applies or a direction under section 240A or under section 325 of the Sentencing Code relates, the interval between the date on which the sentence was passed and the date on which the prisoner will have served the requisite custodial period is less than 14 days ... .
4ZA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4A
In subsection (4)—
a
the reference in paragraph (d) to a community order includes a service community order or overseas community order under the Armed Forces Act 2006; and
b
the reference in paragraph (i) to
section 240ZA includes
section 246 of that Act.
5
The Secretary of State may by order—
a
amend the number of days for the time being specified in subsection (1)(a) ... or (4)(i),
b
amend the number of weeks for the time being specified in subsection (2)(a) or (b)(i), and
c
amend the fraction for the time being specified in subsection (2)(b)(ii) ... .
6
In this section—
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- “the requisite custodial period” in relation to a person serving any sentence ... , has the meaning given by paragraph (a) or (b) of section 243A(3) or (as the case may be) paragraph (a) ... or (d) of section 244(3);
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- “
term of imprisonment
” includes a determinate sentence of detention under section 91 or 96 of
the PCC(S)A 2000, under section 250, 254, 262, 265, 266, 278 or 279 of the Sentencing Code
or under section
226A, 226B,
227
, 228 or 236A
of this Act.
S. 246 wholly in force at 4.4.2005; s. 246 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 336(3); s. 246(1)(b)(3)(4)(b)-(i)(5)(6) in force for certain purposes at 26.1.2004 by S.I. 2003/3282, art. 2, Sch.; s. 246(5) in force at 7.3.2005 by S.I. 2005/373, art. 2; s. 246 in force in so far as not already in force at 4.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/950, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 19 (subject to art. 2(2), Sch. 2)
S. 246(4A) inserted (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378(1), 383, Sch. 16 para. 221; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4
S. 246(2)(b) and word substituted (14.7.2008) for s. 246(2)(b) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 24, 153; S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 11
Words in s. 246(6) substituted (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), s. 95(1), Sch. 1 para. 7(3); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 72
Words in s. 246(6) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(6)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
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)
S. 246 excluded (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), ss. 237(5), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
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)
Word in s. 246(4)(h) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 112(4), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
Words in s. 246(6) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(6)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(4)(i) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 224(2)(d) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
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. 246(4ZA) omitted (17.6.2024) by virtue of Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(4), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(5)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(5)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 7; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
Words in s. 246(4A)(b) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(9)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
S. 246(4)(ac) inserted (17.6.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(3)(b), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(1)(a) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(2)(a); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 20 para. 5(3); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(r)
Words in s. 246(4)(d) inserted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 224(2)(b) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
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)
Words in s. 246(4)(i) substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 110(9)(a), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
S. 246(4)(ha) omitted (17.6.2024) by virtue of Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(3)(e), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(5)(c) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(5)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
S. 246(3) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(3); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(6) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(6)(c); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(6) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 112(6), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
Words in s. 246(4)(g) substituted (17.6.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(3)(c), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
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)
S. 246(4)(fa)(fb) inserted (28.4.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 132(5), 208(4)(p)
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
S. 246(4)(ga)(gb) substituted for s. 246(4)(ga) (17.6.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(3)(d), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(4)(i) omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(4); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
S. 246(4)(a)-(ab) omitted (17.6.2024) by virtue of Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(3)(a), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(1) inserted (17.6.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 68(2), 81(2); S.I. 2024/755, reg. 2
Words in s. 246(4)(g) inserted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 112(3)(b), 151(1) (with Sch. 15); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
S. 246(1)(b) and preceding word omitted (3.12.2012) by virtue of Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 10 para. 23(2)(b); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(h)
Words in s. 246(6) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 224(3) (with Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
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
Word in s. 246(1)(a) substituted (3.6.2025) by The Home Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods (Amendment) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1331), arts. 1(2), 2