Apply for parole if you're a young offender
Check if you can apply
You might be able to get parole as a young offender if you鈥檙e:
- a young adult (18 to 21)
- a juvenile (under 18)
Parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence, but you鈥檒l be kept under supervision.
You may have to apply for parole yourself or the government may apply for you depending on what kind of sentence you鈥檙e serving.
You鈥檒l need a solicitor to help you get parole. Ask a member of the prison staff for help getting one if you don鈥檛 already have a solicitor. You might be able to get legal aid to help pay for this.
There are different rules for adults. There are also different and .
When you can apply
You can apply for parole if you鈥檙e serving a fixed-term sentence (where you鈥檙e in custody for at least 4 years) and you鈥檙e not eligible for being released automatically halfway through your sentence.
You鈥檒l be able to apply 6 months before your 鈥榯ariff鈥� runs out, which is usually halfway through your sentence. Your tariff is the minimum length of time you were ordered to stay in prison.
When the government will apply for you
The government will apply for parole for you if you鈥檙e serving a life sentence. You鈥檒l have to serve your tariff before you can be considered for parole.
You鈥檒l be contacted:
- 3 years before your tariff runs out if you鈥檙e serving a sentence of 4 years or more
- at least 6 months before your tariff runs out if you鈥檙e serving a shorter sentence