Parole

[whatausername]

In the UK, when a judge imposes a minimum sentence of x years can the prisoner be released on parole before that minimum period? I've always had the impression that people get released halfway through their sentence unless they behave badly behind bars. I could be totally wrong as I don't really know about the prison system, it's just my impression.

Murder is a life sentence with a minimum term before eligible for parole.

Other sentences are a fixed term with possibility of parole halfway through.

Dh and I having this very conversation

When the judge says minimum of 42 years does it mean just that?

I think the minimum sentence imposed by the judge is the time they must serve before being considered for parole, regardless of their behaviour.
So if its a minimum of 42 years they can apply for parole after 42 years has elapsed.....if they are still breathing

Its on licence in the UK. Not parole. If they are given 42 months, half would be on licence in most circumstances.

www.gov.uk/government/news/licence-conditions-and-how-the-parole-board-use-them

It's just on the news now, it says he'd have to serve a minimum of 42 years before he could even be considered for parole, after the 42 years, if the parole was granted, he'd be on licence for the rest of his life.

Apparently he couldn't get a whole life sentence because he didn't actually mean to kill the victim that he did, so they gave the absolute maximum possible.

Ah that answers the question, thank you

@LakeTiticaca and @PuttingDownRoots thank you!

No if they're given a minimum sentence that's the least time they can serve before they are even considered eligible for parole. It doesn't mean he'll be realised in 42 years or that'll even be put forward for parole and even then it could be refused. However 42 is long time and Laws may change by then. but Hopefully he dies behind bars.
You're right that you do in most cases only serve half of a Custodial sentence in prison and the other half on probation but that's only when you're given a definite amount of time rather than a minimum.

The half sentence relates to prisoners who aren't considered dangerous. If they are sentenced for more than 4 years and they are dangerous (rape, violent crime) they will serve 2/3 before being considered.

He'll probably get done in by someone in the nick, with a bit of luck

Personally hope he has a long life of hell, not a quick out.

Minimum sentence is where the tariff would be set. Parole cases have a parole eligibility date - when this date comes this is when the parole process will start. Only offenders on standard determinate sentences get released at the CRD which is the halfway point - some will come out earlier if granted HDC.