Section 256AZBA Referral of release decisions to High CourtF1C1
This section applies where—
a prisoner is serving a fixed-term sentence imposed in respect of an offence specified or described in section 256AZBB, and
the Board directs the prisoner’s release under a provision mentioned in the second column of the table in section 237B.
The Secretary of State may direct the Board to refer the prisoner’s case to the High Court if the Secretary of State considers that—
the release of the prisoner would be likely to undermine public confidence in the parole system, and
if the case were referred, the High Court might not be satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should be confined (see section 256AZBC(1)).
The requirement for the Secretary of State to give effect to the Board’s direction to release the prisoner is suspended—
during such period, beginning with the day on which the direction is given, as the Secretary of State reasonably requires to determine whether to direct the Board to refer the prisoner’s case to the High Court under this section, and
if the Secretary of State gives such a direction, pending determination of the reference under section 256AZBC(1).
Where the Secretary of State gives a direction under subsection (2), the Secretary of State must notify the prisoner of the direction and the reasons for giving it.
This section applies in relation to a prisoner whose sentence was imposed before, as well as after, this section comes into force.
But nothing in this section affects the duty of the Secretary of State to release a prisoner whose release has been directed by the Board before this section comes into force.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Ss. 256AZBA-256AZBC and cross-heading inserted (31.12.2025) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 62(1), 81(2); S.I. 2025/1325, reg. 2(f)
Modifications
- C1
S. 256AZBA modified (22.3.2026) by 1984 c. 27, Sch. para. 2B(6) (as inserted by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 41(1), 49(4) (with s. 41(3)(4)))
Notes on Part 12
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 12 modified (28.3.2009 for certain purposes, otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 183(4), 383 (as amended (1.4.2008) by The Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/912), art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 23(2)(b)); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4
- C2
Pt. 12 (ss. 142-305) modified (4.4.2005) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Sentencing) (Transitory Provisions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/643), art. 3 (as amended (E.W.) (3.12.2012) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Consequential and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2824), regs. 1, 3(1) (with reg. 3(2)) and as amended (1.12.2020 immediately before the consolidation date (see 2020 c. 9, ss. 3, 5(2)(3) and 2020 c. 17, ss. 2, 416)) by Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Act 2020 (c. 9), s. 5(2)(3), Sch. 2 para. 139; S.I. 2012/1236, reg. 2)
Notes on Chapter 6
Textual amendments
- F1
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 heading substituted (3.12.2012) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), s. 151(1), Sch. 14 para. 16; S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(l)
- F2
Word in Pt. 12 Ch. 6 heading inserted (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 3 para. 15 (with Sch. 7 para. 2); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(u)
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied to any person serving a sentence for an offence committed before 4 April 2005 (whenever that sentence was or is imposed) by Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10), ss. 121(1), 151(1); S.I. 2012/2906, art. 2(d)
- C2
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied (1.2.2015) by Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 (c. 11), s. 22(1), Sch. 7 para. 2(a); S.I. 2015/40, art. 2(x)
- C3
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 245(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 245(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
- C4
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 244(1)(2)(c), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 244(3), 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
- C5
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 applied (29.6.2021) by 1984 c. 47, Sch. para. 2(3B) (as inserted by Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), s. 50(2)(r), Sch. 11 para. 2)
- C6
Pt. 12 Ch. 6 modified (22.3.2026) by 1984 c. 27, Sch. para. 2B(3) (as inserted by Sentencing Act 2026 (c. 2), ss. 41(1), 49(4) (with s. 41(3)(4)))