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The Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020 is a statutory instrument that was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament on April 1st, 2020, to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK prison system.
The purpose of this order is to provide for the early release of certain prisoners who meet specific criteria, as a means of reducing the prison population and the risks of COVID-19 transmission within the prisons. The order came into force on April 1st, 2020, and is set to expire on October 1st, 2020, unless it is extended by the Parliament.
Under the provisions of this order, certain prisoners who are serving a custodial sentence of more than 3 months, but less than 4 years, and who have served at least half of their sentence, may be eligible for release on license up to 135 days before the midpoint of their sentence. This means that a prisoner who is eligible for release under this order may be released up to 45 days earlier than they would have been under normal circumstances.
However, it is important to note that not all prisoners who are serving sentences within this range will be eligible for early release under this order. The decision to release a prisoner under this order will be made by the Secretary of State for Justice or a person designated by him, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account a range of factors such as the nature and seriousness of the offence committed, the risk posed to the public, and the prisoner's behavior and progress during their time in custody.
It is also worth noting that this order does not apply to certain types of prisoners, including those who have been convicted of certain violent or sexual offenses, those who are subject to a serious crime prevention order or notification requirements, and those who have been sentenced to custody for contempt of court or for breaching a court order.
The release of prisoners under this order is subject to a number of conditions and license requirements, which will be set out in each prisoner's individual release plan. These may include requirements such as attending probation appointments, taking part in rehabilitation programs, and abiding by curfew and electronic monitoring requirements.
In conclusion, The Release of Prisoners (Alteration of Relevant Proportion of Sentence) Order 2020 aims to ease the pressure on the UK's prison system during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing for the early release of certain prisoners who meet specific criteria. However, early release is subject to strict conditions and eligibility requirements, and the decision to release a prisoner under this order will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account a range of factors.
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