§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people sentenced to life imprisonment were released (i) on parole and (ii) on life licence in the last 10 years; and how many in each category of those released have been convicted of a further homicide or serious violent offence.
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§ Mr. John PattenA person sentenced to life imprisonment can be released from prison only on life licence.
Number reconvicted of 'grave'2 offence by the end of 1988 Number reconvicted of homicide Year of first release Number1 released Total Of which Homicide Serious violence 1979 74 3 2 1 1980 48 3 1 2 1981 82 1 — 1 1982 107 5 1 4 1983 104 4 3 1 1984 68 2 — 2 1985 69 1 — 1 1986 48 3 — 3 1987 58 — — — 1988 70 — — — 1979–88 728 22 7 15 1 Excluding those deported immediately on release. 2 A 'grave' offence is an offence of homicide, serious wounding, rape, buggery, robbery, aggravated burglary and arson. The reconviction information was obtained via the offenders' index More information on the recalls and reconvictions of life licensees is published annually in a Home Office statistical bulletin "Reconvictions and recalls of life licensees and Mentally Disordered Offenders, England and Wales", the latest issue of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons sentenced to life imprisonment have been released from prison in the last 10 years having served (i) less and (ii) more than the minimum term, if any, recommended by the sentencing trial judge.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerDuring the last 10 years seven prisoners have been released on life licence at an earlier date than that recommended by the trial judge, including two who were terminally ill and released on humanitarian representing data users' interests, and four from grounds. In the same period six prisoners were released after they had served more than six months longer than the minimum period recommended by the trial judge.