§ Lord Hutchinson of Lullingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many recommendations have been made for minimum periods of detention for murders since 1965, and on how many occasions have prisoners been released before the recommended minimum period has elapsed.
The Earl of CaithnessSince the power was introduced in 1965, 244 such recommendations have been made by courts in England and Wales.
To date, seven life sentence prisoners in England and Wales have been released on life licence at an earlier date than that recommended by the trial judge. Of these, one prisoner was terminally ill and was released on humanitarian grounds. In all cases, in accordance with the provisions of Section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967, the 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.