Life licence - Definition and Overview

Life licence is a term used in the British criminal justice system for the conditions under which a prisoner sentenced to life in jail may be released.

A prisoner who has served their tariff (minimum sentence) becomes eligible for parole. If the parole board agrees to release a prisoner who was sentenced to life, he or she is released on a life licence. Prisoners who break the conditions of their release, or who are found to be a danger to the public, can be immediately re-incarcerated under the terms of this licence.

The law regarding release on licence of prisoners is laid out in chapter 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act of 1997 (see in particular paragraph 30). This Act was amended and updated by the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 chapters 6 and 7.

External links

• The Crime (Sentences) Act of 1997 from Her Majesty's Stationery Office (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997043.htm)
• The 2003 Criminal Justice Act from Her Majesty's Stationery Office (http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030044.htm)