§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the 171W average length of time taken to review life sentence prisoners for release on licence in any recent convenient period.
§ Mr. MellorThe average time at present taken between consideration of a case by the local review committee at the prison to consideration by the Parole Board is about 101/2 months.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the average length of time between a decision in favour of release on licence and the actual release of a life sentence prisoner in any recent convenient period.
§ Mr. MellorThe decision to release a life sentence prisoner is taken by my right hon. Friend on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, if available, the trial judge. When release is authorised, a provisional release date is fixed some time ahead—usually 12 months, though the period may be longer or shorter in the light of circumstances of the individual case. In all cases, release is dependent upon the prisoner's continued good behaviour, upon suitable arrangements being made for his resettlement and, in most cases, upon the satisfactory completion of periods in open conditions and—or the pre-release employment scheme. Failure to observe these conditions can lead to the deferment or cancellation of the provisional release date.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently serving life sentences in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MellorAccording to the records held centrally, which are approximate, on 31 October 1985 about 2,070 persons in prison department establishments in England and Wales were serving life sentences, including custody for life and detention during Her Majesty's pleasure or for life under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.