Example of an indeterminate sentence

You commit a serious crime and are sentenced to a minimum of ten years in prison. After ten years, the Parole Board may decide:

· it’s safe to release you on licence - you’re then supervised (managed) by the Probation Service

· it’s not safe to release you - for example, because they think you are still a risk to the public

Find out more about how the Parole Board and Probation Service work by following the links below.

Life sentences

If you get a life sentence, it lasts for the rest of your life – even if you’re released from prison.

If you’re found guilty of murder, a court must give you a life sentence. A court may also choose to give a life sentence for serious offences like:

· rape

· armed robbery

· attempted murder

You must spend a minimum amount of time in prison before being considered for release on licence.

If you don’t meet the terms of your licence - for example, you commit another crime – you are likely to go back to prison.

Whole life term

In some very serious cases, a judge may give you a ‘whole life term’. This means that there is no minimum term set by the judge, and you will never be considered for release