Prison

• Sentences handed down by the courts for the most serious offences, such as sexual or violent offences.
• Different sentences are given based off the crime, and perceived threat the offender is believed to have on society:

  1. Life sentences
  2. Determinate sentences
  3. Suspended sentences
• Life sentences 


  Most serious punishment - minimum times to be served before applying for parole.

  If released, they stay on the license and supervised by NPS.

  Whole life tariffs are very rare but given in very serious cases. e.g. Lucy Letby.
• Determinate Sentences 


  23% of prisoners are serving sentences between 1-4 years, with 56% being over 4 years.

  
  

  Prisoners are often released after half the allocated time, on license to the NPS if the sentence is 12+ months.
• Suspended sentences


  The offender is given a set prison sentence, but it is suspended for up to two years.

  If conditions are met such as probation or addiction treatment, plus no further crimes are committed their sentences pass.