HL Deb 15 June 1982 vol 431 cc625-6WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many life sentence prisoners were informed, during the 12 months ending 31st May 1982, that the next consideration of their suitability for release on licence would take place after 18 months instead of the normal 12 months.

Lord Elton

There are no fixed times at which the release of a life sentence prisoner must be formally considered. If at a particular review the Parole Board do not recommend the release of such a prisoner, they will recommend when the next formal review of the case should begin; and it is by no means unusual for the board to recommend a further review more than 12 months ahead. In the 12 months ending 31st May 1982, following such a recommendation by the Parole Board, 31 life sentence prisoners were informed that the next consideration of their cases would begin after 18 months or longer.