Policy background Custodial Sentences Whole life orders for young adult offenders in exceptional cases
Currently, whole life orders can be imposed only on offenders aged 21 and over. Section 126 will make it possible for judges to impose whole life orders on offenders aged 18 to 20 in exceptional and serious circumstances. The measures will amend provisions in the Code, which deals with whole life orders, so that, although it will remain the case that such sentences cannot ordinarily be imposed on offenders below the age of 21, judges have the option of imposing them in particularly rare and serious cases.