§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations have been made by judges under section 1(2) of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965; and in how many cases prisoners have been released before the minimum period recommended.
§ Mr. MellorIn England and Wales, 201 such recommendations were made from 1965 — when the power was introduced—until the end of 1984.
Up until the end of 1984, three life sentence prisoners have been released on life licence at an earlier date than that recommended by the trial judge. In accordance with the provisions of section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, all three prisoners were released on the recommendation of the parole board and after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, where he was available, the trial judge.