Commentary on Sections Part 12 - Sentencing Chapter 7: Effect of Life Sentence Section 275: Duty to release certain life prisoners
619.Section 275 deals with the release of mandatory life prisoners. In accordance with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Stafford this provision brings the arrangements for the release of mandatory life prisoners into line with those for discretionary life prisoners under section 28 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. The amendments ensure that, like discretionary life sentence prisoners, a mandatory life sentence prisoner will be able to require the Secretary of State to refer his case to the Parole Board once he has served his minimum term. Once a case is referred to it the Parole Board decides whether a prisoner is to be released and may direct his release only if it is satisfied that the prisoner’s continued detention is no longer necessary for the protection of the public. The Secretary of State is then under a duty to release the prisoner on a life licence.