AboutBruce Fyfe Expertise Scottish Criminal Law - any area. NOT IMMIGRATION ISSUES. I am a serving, operational Police Officer with 25 years` service. As well as my own knowledge and training, I can draw on many other resources in the Scottish criminal justice system and welcome the challenge.
NB Scottish, not English; criminal, not civil or immigration;
Expert: Bruce Fyfe Date: 3/13/2005 Subject: Life sentencing Uk law
Question Dear Sirs,
In UK law, why is ten years called, 'life imprisonment'?
Answer David
A prisoner who has been sentenced to life imprisonment or detention without limit of time has a punishment part to her/his sentence set in open court by a sentencing judge. The decision on the punishment part can be appealed.
Once the punishment part of the sentence has been served the Parole Board, sitting as a tribunal, will decide if the prisoner should be released on life licence.
If the decision of the Parole Board is that the prisoner should not be released on life licence, the prisoner has the right to be seen again no more than two years after the decision, but could be seen earlier. There is no right to appeal against the decision of the Parole Board.
There are conditions to the licence. If the prisoner breaks these conditions s/he can be returned to prison immediately.
