Types of prison sentence

There are different types of prison sentences depending on how serious the crime committed is. Some are for a fixed length of time and others include a minimum amount of time before a person has any chance of release. Find out about the different types of sentences.

Why you could get a prison sentence

You could get a prison sentence if:

· the crime you commit is so serious (for example, murder) that it’s the only suitable punishment

· a court thinks the public must be protected from you

If you have already spent time ‘on remand’

If you have already spent time remanded in custody (in prison waiting for the trial), the time in custody is taken off your prison sentence.

If you’re given more than one prison sentence

If you’re convicted of committing more than one crime, you are usually given a sentence for each one. For example, if you commit a driving offence and the police also find illegal drugs on you, you will get a sentence for each offence.