Legal background Sentencing and release: Northern Ireland Extended Custodial Sentence (ECS)
The ECS was introduced for adult and child offenders by Article 14 of the 2008 Order. It is a public protection sentence which can be imposed for certain violent or sexual offences listed in Schedule 2 of the 2008 Order, committed on or after commencement, if the court believes that the offender is likely to commit further similar offences in the future. This sentence mandates at least one year in custody and a period under licence. ECS prisoners are referred to the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland (PCNI) six months before the midpoint of their sentence. The extended licence period can be up to five years for violent offences and eight years for sexual offences.