§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the minimum period a life sentence prisoner must serve before being considered for transfer to an open prison. [78269]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe general position is set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Stinchcombe) on 9 July 1998,Official Report, columns 587–88. The first Parole Board review of a life sentence prisoner's case occurs 3 years, or in the case of a prisoner who has made good progress through his sentence 3½ years, before expiry of the minimum period required for retribution and deterrence, commonly known as the tariff. The tariff varies considerably from case to case.