{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-justice-act-2003/section-256AZB",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-justice-act-2003/section-256AZB.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2003/44",
  "legislation_title": "Criminal Justice Act 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/criminal-justice-act-2003",
  "path": "section/256AZB",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "256AZB",
  "heading": "Power to change test for release following recall",
  "text": "(1) The Secretary of State may by order change—\n(a) the test to be applied by the Secretary of State in deciding under section 255A whether a person is suitable for release at the end of the section 255B automatic release period;\n(b) the test to be applied by the Secretary of State in deciding whether to release a person under section 255B(2) , 255BA(3) or 255C(2);\n(ba) the test to be applied by the Secretary of State in determining under subsection (5) of section 255BA that a person should not be released at the end of the section 255BA automatic release period;\n(c) the test to be applied by the Board in deciding whether to give a direction for a person’s release when determining a reference under section 255B(4), 255C(4) or 256A(1A) or (2).\n(2) An order under subsection (1) may in particular—\n(a) apply to a person recalled before the day on which the order comes into force (as well as to a person recalled on or after that day);\n(b) amend this Chapter.\n(3) Provision made in an order under subsection (1)(c) by virtue of section 330(4) (consequential etc provision) may in particular amend, or modify the application of, section 256AZBC(1) (powers of High Court on referral of release decisions).",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 256AZB inserted (28.6.2022) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 137(2), 208(1); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(o)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 256AZB(1)(a) substituted (31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 33(10)(a), 49(1) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iv), 4"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Word in s. 256AZB(1)(b) inserted (31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 33(10)(b), 49(1) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iv), 4"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "S. 256AZB(1)(ba) inserted (31.3.2026 for specified purposes and otherwise coming into force in accordance with reg. 4 of the commencing S.I.) by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 33(10)(c), 49(1) (with s. 33(14)); S.I. 2026/86, regs. 3(b)(iv), 4"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "S. 256AZB(3) inserted (3.2.2025) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 59(7), 81(2); S.I. 2025/95, reg. 3(b)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/44/section/256AZB",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:17:40.404644+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}