When you find yourself on the wrong side of the prison gates, it is important that you seek expert legal assistance as this can make a real difference to how your sentence progresses and how you make the most of any opportunities available to hasten your release.
There are several very useful resources when you need prison law help:
- https://insidetime.org/
- http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/
- https://prisons.org.uk/publications/converse-newspaper/
It can often be very confusing to work out what someone's prison sentence means and when their release date may arise. We have a system which has a variety of sentences including; life sentences, indeterminate sentences, extended sentences, fixed sentences with conditional release dates and short-term prison sentences.
Depending on each there are different sentences and release opportunities with opportunities for early release generally controlled by the Parole Board - The Parole Application.
Discipline in Prison is maintained by an Incentives and Privilege Scheme, with ultimate sanctions being dealt with either by a Governors Adjudication System or for the more serious offences by an Independent Adjudicator (District Judge) with options including for some sentences, additional days imposed.
Other opportunities can also arise to advance including the possibility for a re-categorisation application so the prisoner can move to less secure conditions.