Frequently Asked Questions

Inside Out Justice is an independent initiative supporting prisoners, their families, and professionals working in criminal justice. We provide free tools, resources, and guidance to help navigate the UK prison system.

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The Sentencing Act 2026 introduces new release fractions for certain prisoners. From 1 October 2026, most standard determinate sentences (SDS) have a release point of one-third instead of 40%, and sentences releasing at two-thirds under section 244ZA move to one-half. Life, IPP and extended determinate sentences are outside the change. The Schedule to SI 2026/953 also excludes a long list of offences, including rape and serious child sexual offences, unlawful killing, cruelty to a child, indecent assault and causing death by driving.

Our calculator provides estimates based on the rules in the Sentencing Act 2026. Picking the offence makes it considerably more reliable, because that is how it knows whether the release changes apply at all. It does not account for HDC, parole decisions, or errors in sentence calculation. Always verify with prison staff or a solicitor.

SDS (Standard Determinate Sentence) is a fixed-term sentence. SDS+ applies where section 244ZA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 is triggered - broadly, sentences of 7 years or more for a Schedule 15 offence carrying life, or 4 years or more for an offence in the section 244ZA(7) list. Those sentences release at two-thirds, moving to one-half from 1 October 2026.

Added days are extra days added to your sentence as punishment for breaking prison rules (adjudications). They delay your release date. The Sentencing Act 2026 doubles the maximum an Independent Adjudicator can impose from 42 to 84 days per incident.

No. The Schedule to SI 2026/953 lists the excluded offences, so release points for those do not move. It is wider than the August 2026 announcement: alongside rape and serious child sexual offences it covers unlawful killing, cruelty to a child, indecent assault, complicity in suicide, causing death by driving or cycling, dangerous dogs and genocide. Being excluded does not make a sentence longer - the change simply does not apply, and the release point stays where it already is, which is one-half rather than 40% for sexual, domestic abuse and national security offences. Life, IPP and extended determinate sentences were never in scope.

Currently, our calculator focuses on standard determinate sentences. Extended sentences have different rules and are not fully supported yet.

Yes! You can save multiple scenarios locally in your browser and compare them side by side. Your data is not stored on our servers.

Schedule 15 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 lists "specified offences" — serious violent and sexual offences. Being convicted of a Schedule 15 offence can affect sentencing options and release conditions.

Section 244ZA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 - not the Sentencing Act 2026 - governs release for certain serious violent and sexual offenders, and subsection (7) lists the offences that trigger it for sentences of 4 years or more. It means a longer minimum custody period before automatic release: two-thirds now, one-half from 1 October 2026. Section 23 of the Sentencing Act 2026 is what makes that change.

You can use the Law Society's Find a Solicitor service or the government's Legal Aid Finder. Look for solicitors specialising in "prison law" or "prisoners' rights".

Appeals must usually be lodged within 28 days of sentencing. You should consult a solicitor immediately if you believe your sentence was wrong.

Licence conditions are rules you must follow after release from prison until your sentence end date. Breaking them can result in recall to prison.

Use our Support Services directory to search by category (housing, employment, mental health, etc.) and region. We list over 500 verified organisations across the UK.

Many organisations support families, including help with prison visits, financial advice, and emotional support. Search our directory for "families" or visit organisations like PACT.

If you work for an organisation in our directory, you can claim it to update information. Click "Claim this organisation" on the listing page and follow the verification process.

Use the "Suggest an Organisation" form on the Support Services page. We review all suggestions and add verified organisations within a few days.