{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sentencing-act-2020/section-256",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sentencing-act-2020/section-256.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2020/17",
  "legislation_title": "Sentencing Act 2020",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sentencing-act-2020",
  "path": "section/256",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "256",
  "heading": "Term of extended sentence of detention under section 254",
  "text": "(1) This section applies where a court is determining—\n(a) the appropriate custodial term, and\n(b) the extension period,\nof an extended sentence of detention under section 254 to be imposed on an offender in respect of an offence.\n(2) The appropriate custodial term is the term of detention that would be imposed in respect of the offence in compliance with section 231(2) (length of discretionary custodial sentences: general provision) if the court did not impose an extended sentence.\n(3) The extension period must be a period of such length as the court considers necessary for the purpose of protecting members of the public from serious harm occasioned by the commission by the offender of further specified offences.\nThis is subject to subsections (4) and (5).\n(4) The extension period must—\n(a) be at least 1 year, and\n(b) not exceed—\n(i) 5 years in the case of a specified violent offence (unless sub-paragraph (iii) applies);\n(ii) 8 years in the case of a specified sexual offence or a specified terrorism offence (unless sub-paragraph (iii) applies);\n(iii) 10 years in the case of a serious terrorism offence for which the sentence is imposed on or after the day on which section 16 of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 comes into force.\nSee section 306(2) for the meanings of “specified violent offence”, “specified sexual offence” and “specified terrorism offence” , “specified terrorism offence” and “serious terrorism offence”.\n(5) The term of the extended sentence of detention under section 254 must not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment with which the offence is punishable in the case of a person aged 21 or over.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in s. 256(4)(b)(i) inserted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 16(2)(a), 50(2)(i)(3)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 256(4)(b)(ii) inserted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 16(2)(b), 50(2)(i)(3)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 256(4)(b)(iii) inserted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 16(2)(c), 50(2)(i)(3)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in s. 256(4) substituted (29.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 (c. 11), ss. 16(3), 50(2)(i)(3)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "S. 256(2)-(5) applied (with modifications) by 2006 c. 52, s. 221A(3)(4) (as substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 25 para. 42(3) (with s. 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "S. 256 in force at 1.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "word substituted",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2020/17",
      "affecting_title": "Sentencing Act 2020"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/17/section/256",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:00:57.370248+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."
}