Release on conditions

Offenders serving a prison sentence of two years or less are automatically released after serving half of their sentence at their statutory release date.

People who have been sentenced to imprisonment of one year or less may have conditions of release – these are set by the judge at sentencing.

Offenders sentenced to between one year and two years’ imprisonment automatically have standard conditions of release imposed, unless the court specifies otherwise. When standard release conditions are imposed, the judge may also impose special conditions on the offender.

A probation officer manages the offender to ensure they comply with the release conditions imposed by the court. These conditions may include restrictions on employment and living arrangements, and might specify rehabilitation programmes the offender needs to attend.