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.
Related Terms
Relationship map
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.
Standard Determinate Sentence
A fixed-term prison sentence with automatic release at a set point. Currently release is at 40% of the sentence, but under the Sentencing Act 2026 this will change to one-third for many cases. This is the most common type of prison sentence.