# Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, Section 30: Power to release life prisoners on compassionate grounds.


(1) The Secretary of State may at any time release a life prisoner on licence if he is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the prisoner’s release on compassionate grounds.
(2) Before releasing a life prisoner under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult the Parole Board, unless the circumstances are such as to render such consultation impracticable.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/43/section/30 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/crime-sentences-act-1997/section-30
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.