Legislation – Sentencing Act 2026

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Introduction

Part 1
Sentencing

1 Presumption of suspended sentence order for sentences of 12 months or less

2 Custodial sentences that may be suspended

3 Income reduction orders

4 Purposes of sentencing

5 Date to which passing of sentence may be deferred

6 Finding of domestic abuse

7 Special custodial sentence for certain offenders of particular concern: England and Wales

8 Sentence with fixed licence period: Scotland

9 Sentence with fixed licence period: Northern Ireland

10 Corresponding provision under service law

11 Whole life order: murder of police, prison or probation officer

12 Removal of requirement to specify maximum number of days

13 Rehabilitation activity requirement renamed probation requirement

14 Driving prohibition requirement

15 Public event attendance prohibition requirement

16 Drinking establishment entry prohibition requirement

17 Restriction zone requirement

18 Power to add or alter requirements

19 Sentencing Council business plan

20 Sentencing guidelines

21 Annual report relating to prison capacity

22 Provision of transcripts of sentencing remarks to victims

Part 2
Management of offenders after sentencing

23 Release

24 Release: consequential amendments relating to driving disqualification

25 Release on licence of certain violent or sexual offenders: service offences

26 Limitation of provisions about home detention curfew

27 Licence conditions

28 Licence conditions: offenders sentenced under repealed armed forces legislation

29 Power to make provision about recall to prison

30 Further release after recall: introductory

31 Further release after recall: relevant young offenders suitable for automatic release

32 Further release after recall: other offenders eligible for automatic release

33 Further release after recall: supplementary

34 Repeal of provisions relating to supervision after end of sentence

35 Early removal of prisoners liable to removal from United Kingdom

36 Removal of maximum period for unpaid work requirement

37 Number of hours of work required by unpaid work requirement

38 Termination of community order

39 Termination of supervision period of suspended sentence order

40 Rules about the proceedings of the Parole Board

41 Application of provisions about release etc to certain repatriated prisoners

42 Imprisonment or detention for public protection: termination of licences

43 Powers of High Court on referral

Part 3
Bail

44 Amendments to Bail Act 1976

Part 4
Foreign criminals

45 Deportation of foreign criminals

Part 5
General

46 Power to make consequential provision

47 Power to state effect in Sentencing Act 2020 of commencement of amendments made by this Act

48 Extent

49 Commencement

50 Short title

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1 Presumption of suspended sentence order: consequential provision

Schedule 2 Sentence with fixed licence period in Scotland or Northern Ireland: consequential provision

Schedule 3 Corresponding provision about sentencing under service law: sentences for offenders of particular concern

Schedule 4 Offences where offender not eligible for automatic release under section 255BA after recall

Schedule 5 Repeal of provisions relating to supervision after end of sentence: consequential provision

Changes to legislation:

Sentencing Act 2026, Schedule 2 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 March 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Schedules

Schedule 2Sentence with fixed licence period in Scotland or Northern Ireland: consequential provision

Sections 8(12) and 9(6)

Part 1Scotland

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

1

In section 5(1)(da) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as it forms part of the law of Scotland (disclosure periods for particular sentences), for “(terrorism sentence for young offenders or children)” substitute “(sentence with fixed licence period for young offenders or children)”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I1Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)

Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989

2

In section 39(7B)(a) of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 (rules for the management of prisons and other institutions), after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I2Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)

Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993

3

(1)

The Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 1(9) (release of short-term, long-term and life prisoners)—

(a)

the words from “in respect of an offence” to the end of the subsection become paragraph (a);

(b)

at the end of that paragraph insert “, or

(b)

under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security).”

(3)

In section 1AB (restricted eligibility for release on licence of terrorist prisoners)—

(a)

in the heading, at the end insert “and other prisoners serving a sentence imposed under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act”;

(b)

after subsection (2A) insert—

“(2B)

This section also applies to a prisoner other than a life prisoner who is serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security).”;

(c)

in subsection (3), for “case of a terrorist prisoner” substitute “prisoner’s case”;

(d)

in subsections (4) and (5), omit “terrorist”.

(4)

In section 1B (prisoners serving consecutive sentences including at least one terrorism sentence)—

(a)

in the heading, after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(b)

in subsection (1), for paragraph (b) (but not the “and” at the end of that paragraph) substitute—

“(b)

one or more of the sentences (the “terrorism or national security-related sentence”) was imposed—

(i)

in respect of an offence within section 1AB(2), or

(ii)

under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security),”;

(c)

in subsection (2)—

(i)

after “terrorism”, in both places it occurs, insert “or national security-related”;

(ii)

for “imposed in respect of an offence that is not within section 1AB(2) (a “non-terrorism sentence”),” substitute “that is not a terrorism or national security-related sentence,”;

(iii)

for “the non-terrorism” substitute “that other”;

(d)

in subsection (3)—

(i)

after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(ii)

for “non-terrorism” substitute “other”;

(e)

in subsections (4) to (7), (9), (10) and (13)—

(i)

after “terrorism”, in each place it occurs, insert “or national security-related”;

(ii)

for “non-terrorism”, in each place it occurs, substitute “sentence that is not a terrorism or national security-related”.

(5)

In section 2 (duty to release discretionary life prisoners)—

(a)

in subsection (6), after “(6B)” insert “, (6C);

(b)

after subsection (6B) insert—

“(6C)

No requirement may be made under subsection (6) by a life prisoner who is also serving or liable to serve a sentence of imprisonment imposed under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security) before the day on which the Scottish Ministers are required to refer the prisoner’s case to the Parole Board under section 1AB(3).”;

(c)

in subsection (7), after “(6B)” insert “or (6C).

(6)

In section 3A (re-release of prisoners serving certain terrorism sentences and extended sentences)—

(a)

in the heading, for “certain terrorism sentences” substitute “serious terrorism sentences, sentences with a fixed licence period”;

(b)

in subsection (1ZA)(b), omit “terrorism”.

(7)

In section 3C(6) (prisoners not to be released early by virtue of regulations under section 3C)—

(a)

after paragraph (c) insert—

“(ca)

serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security);”;

(b)

in paragraph (d), after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”.

(8)

In the italic cross heading before section 26ZA, after “terrorism” insert “and national security-related”.

(9)

In section 26ZA (terrorism sentences)—

(a)

in the heading, after “terrorism” insert “and national security-related”;

(b)

for subsection (1) substitute—

“(1)

This section applies to a person (“the prisoner”) who—

(a)

is not a life prisoner, and

(b)

is serving a terrorism or national security-related sentence.”;

(c)

in subsection (2)—

(i)

in the words before paragraph (a), after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(ii)

in paragraph (b), omit “terrorism”;

(d)

in subsection (3), after “terrorism”, in both places it occurs, insert “or national security-related”;

(e)

in subsections (4) and (5), for “a terrorist” substitute “the”;

(f)

in subsection (7)—

(i)

for “a terrorist” substitute “the”;

(ii)

after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(g)

in subsection (8)(b), omit “terrorism”;

(h)

in subsection (9)—

(i)

for “a terrorist” substitute “the”;

(ii)

after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(i)

in subsection (10), after “terrorism”, in both places it occurs, insert “or national security-related”;

(j)

in subsection (11), in the definition of “appropriate custodial term”, in the words before paragraph (a)—

(i)

after “terrorism” insert “or national security-related”;

(ii)

omit “terrorist”;

(k)

in subsection (11), in the definition of “extension period”, in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), omit “terrorist”.

(10)

In section 27 (interpretation of Part 1)—

(a)

in subsection (5), for “subsection (5A)” substitute “subsections (5A) and (5AA);

(b)

after subsection (5A), insert—

“(5AA)

Nor does subsection (5) apply in relation to a sentence (a “national security-related sentence”) imposed on a person under section 205ZC of the 1995 Act in respect of an offence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security).”;

(c)

in subsection (5B)—

(i)

for “an offence within section 1AB(2)”, in the first place it appears, substitute “a sentence passed on a person in respect of an offence within section 1AB(2) or a national security-related sentence”;

(ii)

after “1AB(2)”, in the second place it appears, insert “or a national security-related sentence”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I3Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)

Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984

4

(1)

In the Schedule to the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984, paragraph 2 (application of early release provisions) as it applies in relation to prisoners repatriated to Scotland is amended as follows.

(2)

After sub-paragraph (3D) insert—

“(3E)

If sub-paragraph (3F), (3G) or (3H) applies by virtue of an offence in relation to which a determinate sentence is to be served, Part 1 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 applies to the prisoner as if the prisoner were serving a sentence imposed under section 205ZC of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in respect of an offence specified in Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to that Act (sentence with a fixed licence period imposed in respect of an offence involving or connected with a threat to national security).

(3F)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served corresponds to an offence specified in any of paragraphs 9 to 11, or paragraph 13 in a case where the listed offence is an offence specified in any of paragraphs 9 to 11, of Part 2 of Schedule 5ZB to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (certain offences under the Official Secrets Acts or the National Security Act 2023).

(3G)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that—

(a)

the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served (“the overseas offence”) corresponds to an offence under the law of Scotland (“the corresponding offence”),

(b)

the overseas offence was committed on or after the day on which section 16 of the National Security Act 2023 came into force,

(c)

the corresponding offence—

(i)

is a “relevant electoral offence” within the meaning of that section, and

(ii)

is punishable on indictment with imprisonment for more than 2 years, and

(d)

findings made by the court before which the prisoner was tried or sentenced for the overseas offence would, had the prisoner been tried and sentenced in Scotland for the corresponding offence, have justified a determination under that section that the foreign power condition is met in relation to the conduct that constitutes the offence.

(3H)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that—

(a)

the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served (“the overseas offence”) corresponds to an offence under the law of Scotland (“the corresponding offence”),

(b)

the overseas offence was committed on or after the day on which section 21 of the National Security Act 2023 came into force,

(c)

the corresponding offence—

(i)

is not an offence mentioned in subsection (6) of that section, and

(ii)

is punishable on indictment with imprisonment for more than 2 years, and

(d)

findings made by the court before which the prisoner was tried or sentenced for the overseas offence would, had the prisoner been tried and sentenced in Scotland for the corresponding offence, have justified a determination under that section that the foreign power condition is met in relation to the conduct that constitutes the offence.

(3I)

The Scottish Ministers may amend a warrant (whether issued before or after sub-paragraph (3E) comes into force and whether or not the transfer it authorises has taken place) so as to specify the matters referred to in sub-paragraph (3F), (3G) or (3H).”

(3)

In sub-paragraph (4), for “that Act” substitute “the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I4Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)

Part 2Northern Ireland

Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

5

(1)

The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I 2008/1216 (N.I.1)) is amended as follows.

(2)

In Article 3(1) (interpretation of Part 2), in the definition of “Article 15A terrorism sentence” omit “terrorism”.

(3)

In Article 8(1)(a) (setting of custodial period), for “Article 15A terrorism sentence” substitute “Article 15A sentence”.

(4)

In the heading of Chapter 3 of Part 2, for “other terrorist” substitute “certain other”.

(5)

In the italic heading before Article 20A, at the end insert “and other prisoners serving an Article 15A sentence”.

(6)

In Article 20A (restricted eligibility for release on licence of terrorist prisoners)—

(a)

in the heading, after “prisoners” insert “and other prisoners serving an Article 15A sentence”;

(b)

after paragraph (2A) insert—

“(2AB)

This Article also applies to a fixed-term prisoner who is serving an Article 15A sentence imposed in respect of an offence which is specified in Schedule 2B (offences involving or connected with a threat to national security).”;

(c)

in paragraphs (3), (4), (5) and (7) omit “terrorist”;

(d)

in paragraph (8)—

(i)

omit “terrorist” in both places it occurs;

(ii)

for “Article 15A terrorism sentence” substitute “Article 15A sentence”;

(e)

in paragraph (9)—

(i)

in the definition of “appropriate custodial term”, for “Article 15A terrorism sentence” substitute “Article 15A sentence”;

(ii)

in the definition of “relevant part of the sentence”, for “Article 15A terrorism sentence” substitute “Article 15A sentence”.

(7)

In Article 33(6) (custodial periods to be aggregated in case of consecutive sentences), in sub-paragraph (a)(i), for “Article 15A terrorism sentence” substitute “Article 15A sentence”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I5Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)

Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984

6

In paragraph 2A of the Schedule to the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 (application of early release provisions to prisoners repatriated to Northern Ireland), after sub-paragraph (4D) insert—

“(4E)

If sub-paragraph (4F), (4G) or (4H) applies by virtue of an offence in relation to which a determinate sentence is to be served, Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 applies to the prisoner as if the prisoner were serving a sentence imposed under Article 15A of the Order in respect of an offence specified in Schedule 2B to the Order (sentence with a fixed licence period imposed in respect of an offence involving or connected with a threat to national security).

(4F)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served corresponds to an offence specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3, or paragraph 5 in a case where the ancillary offence relates to an offence specified in any of paragraphs 1 to 3, of Schedule 2B to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (certain offences under the Official Secrets Acts or the National Security Act 2023).

(4G)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that—

(a)

the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served (“the overseas offence”) corresponds to an offence under the law of Northern Ireland (“the corresponding offence”),

(b)

the overseas offence was committed on or after the day on which section 16 of the National Security Act 2023 came into force,

(c)

the corresponding offence—

(i)

is a “relevant electoral offence” within the meaning of that section, and

(ii)

is punishable on indictment with imprisonment for more than 2 years, and

(d)

findings made by the court before which the prisoner was tried or sentenced for the overseas offence would, had the prisoner been tried and sentenced in Northern Ireland for the corresponding offence, have justified a determination under that section that the foreign power condition is met in relation to the conduct that constitutes the offence.

(4H)

This sub-paragraph applies if the warrant specifies that—

(a)

the offence or any of the offences in relation to which a sentence is to be served (“the overseas offence”) corresponds to an offence under the law of Northern Ireland (“the corresponding offence”),

(b)

the overseas offence was committed on or after the day on which section 20 of the National Security Act 2023 came into force,

(c)

the corresponding offence—

(i)

is not an offence mentioned in subsection (2) of that section, and

(ii)

is punishable on indictment with imprisonment for more than 2 years, and

(d)

findings made by the court before which the prisoner was tried or sentenced for the overseas offence would, had the prisoner been tried and sentenced in Northern Ireland for the corresponding offence, have justified a determination under that section that the foreign power condition is met in relation to the conduct that constitutes the offence.

(4I)

The Department of Justice may amend a warrant (whether issued before or after sub-paragraph (4E) comes into force and whether or not the transfer it authorises has taken place) so as to specify the matters referred to in sub-paragraph (4F), (4G) or (4H).”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I6Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 22.3.2026, see s. 49(4)