The Act Commentary on Sections Part 2: Sentencing 255C Specified offence prisoners and those not suitable for automatic release
264.Subsection (1) provides that section 255C applies to recalled prisoners who are serving a sentence (other than an extended sentence) for a specified offence, to recalled prisoners who are ineligible for automatic release because of section 255A(2)(b) or (c) and to recalled prisoners who were eligible but were not considered suitable for automatic release.
265.Subsections (2) and (3) give the Secretary of State the discretionary power to release any recalled prisoner to whom this section applies at any time during the period of the recall if he is satisfied that it is not necessary for the protection of the public for that prisoner to remain in prison.
266.Subsection (4) requires the Secretary of State to refer to the Parole Board the case of any prisoner to whom this section applies who exercises the right under section 254(2) to make representations against the decision of the Secretary of State to recall him. In any event, the Secretary of State is required to refer to the Board at the end of 28 days the case of any prisoner to whom this section applies who has not been released by that time. Subsection (5) provides that if the Parole Board recommends the immediate release of a prisoner referred to it under subsection (4), the Secretary of State must give effect to that recommendation.
267.Subsection (6) refers to prisoners serving a sentence of intermittent custody. Should such a prisoner be recalled from licence before the expiry of the custodial element of the sentence and subsequently be re-released they will be on licence until the end of one of the licence periods specified in the intermittent custody order.