Plain English Guides

Sentencing Calculator Guide

Understand the Sentencing Act 2026 and how it may affect release dates — written for prisoners and families, not lawyers.

Release changes start on 1 October 2026 and are now in law
The Sentencing Act 2026 progression model starts on 1 October 2026, confirmed by SI 2026/953, which revoked the earlier regulations setting a 2 September start. People already in custody move across in stages by sentence length, finishing on 8 June 2027. The Schedule to that instrument lists the offences excluded from the change: as well as rape and serious child sexual offences it covers unlawful killing, cruelty to a child, indecent assault, causing death by driving or cycling and genocide. Release points for those offences do not move.
Important Notice
This guide provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional for advice specific to your situation.

New Legislation
NEW

The Sentencing Act 2026 Explained

Plain-English summary of new release rules, suspended sentences, HDC changes, and community requirements

Offences Excluded From the Release Changes

Rape, serious child sex and grooming offences were barred from the changes on 4 August 2026 — the full list, and what being excluded actually means

Sentencing Act 2026 Timeline

When each provision comes into force, including the staged rollout of the new release points

Youth Justice

Youth Sentencing Explained

Section 250, Detention Training Orders, and how young offenders are sentenced differently

Calculate Release Date

Estimate when you may be released

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Check Your Offence

Does it trigger SDS+ provisions?

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Release Fractions Quick Reference

How release points change under the Sentencing Act 2026, from 1 October 2026

Sentence Type Current SA 2026
Standard SDS 40% (two-fifths) 33% (one-third)
Section 250 (youth detention) 50% (one-half) 50% (one-half)
SDS+ s.244ZA(4)/(5) 67% (two-thirds) 50% (one-half)
SDS+ s.244ZA(6) (youth) 67% (two-thirds) 67% (two-thirds)
Excluded offences — sexual, domestic abuse or national security 50% (one-half) 50% (unchanged)
Excluded offences — Schedule 15 Part 1, sentence of 4 years or more 50% (one-half) 50% (unchanged)
Excluded offences — everything else 40% (two-fifths) 40% (unchanged)

An offence in the Schedule to SI 2026/953 keeps the release point it already has — which is not always 40%. The 40% release point introduced in 2024 did not apply to sexual, domestic abuse or national security offences, or to Schedule 15 Part 1 offences of 4 years or more; those were left at one-half, and they stay there.

Life, IPP and extended determinate sentences are not fraction-based — the Parole Board decides release. Which offences are excluded?

Getting Started

How This Tool Works

Understand what this calculator can and cannot do

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What Information You Need

Documents and details to gather before using the calculator

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Understanding the Law

What "One-Third" Means

Understanding the new release point and what it does not mean

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Added Days & Adjudications

How prison discipline can affect your release date

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Release Conditions

Tags, supervision, licence conditions, and recall

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Using the Tools

Finding Your Offence

How to check if your offence is on section 244ZA(7) or Schedule 15

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Comparing Different Scenarios

Using the comparison feature to understand different outcomes

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Preparing for Your Solicitor

Questions to ask and how to prepare for legal advice

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Glossary of Terms

Key terms explained in plain English

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