Sentencing & Release
Last updated: 23 January 2026

Schedule 15 Offences

Also known as: “Specified offences” “Schedule 15”

A schedule to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 listing specified violent offences (Part 1) and specified sexual offences (Part 2). These offences can trigger enhanced sentencing provisions including longer minimum terms and SDS+ release fractions.

Related Terms

Relationship map

Schedule 15 Offences

SDS+ Sentence

A more serious standard determinate sentence under section 244ZA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Release is currently at two-thirds, changing to one-half under the Sentencing Act 2026. Applies to certain violent and sexual offences listed in Schedule 15.

Section 244ZA

A provision in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 that applies to serious violent and sexual offences listed in Schedule 15. Sentences for these offences (SDS+) have a higher release fraction - currently two-thirds, moving to one-half under the Sentencing Act 2026.

Further Reading

Related Resources

Suggest a Glossary Term

Help improve our glossary by suggesting new terms or improvements to existing definitions.

Suggestion type Term
Definition