Part 2: Release of terrorist offender Section 31: Removal of early release for dangerous terrorist prisoners: Northern Ireland
Section 31 amends Article 20A of the 2008 Order (as inserted by section 30). It provides that where a terrorist offender is sentenced to an extended sentence or a new serious terrorism sentence on or after the date the section comes into force, for an offence with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, they will not be referred to the Parole Commissioners but will instead be released at the end of their custodial term. The new provision will apply regardless of whether the offender is an adult or under 18. This aligns Northern Ireland with the changes in section 27 for England and Wales and section 28 for Scotland.