Sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection
Sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection, abolished in 2012, have been widely criticised and the current government has committed to ending them “once and for all”.
Documents to download
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End of Custody Licence (87KB PDF)
The End of Custody Licence (ECL) was introduced in June 2007 to help deal with prison overcrowding. Eligible prisoners may be released up to 18 days before their release date, but can be recalled if they misbehave. Some prisoners are disqualified, including those convicted of certain violent offences. Since its introduction, over 36,000 prisoners have been released early under ECL. The Government have said that they intend the scheme to be a temporary one. The Conservatives have pledged to abolish the scheme, and the Liberal Democrats have also criticised it.
Documents to download
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End of Custody Licence (87KB PDF)
Related posts
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Changes to automatic prisoner release dates in England and Wales
The Sentencing Act 2026 changes to automatic release dates for some prisoners will come into force from 1 October 2026. Following public campaigning and government reviews, the changes will not come into effect for those convicted of certain offences.
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Where can prisoners and their families get support and advice?
Information about sources of support for prisoners and prisoners' families.
