Criminal Justice Act of 1991

The Criminal Justice Act of 1991 is British legislation that significantly reformed the system of parole and sentencing. Under this act, prisoners sentenced to less than four years were automatically released after serving half of their sentences. For those with sentences over four years, parole eligibility was set at the halfway point, with the home secretary making the final decision based on the parole board's recommendation for sentences exceeding 15 years. The act also introduced provisions for serving the remainder of a previous sentence if a new offense was committed. This legislation aimed to standardize release procedures and address concerns about the length of time served in prison.1