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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: The Belgian Prison Service would like to learn if there are any countries where a remission is applied to prison sentences. Remission being the complete ending of a sentence at a reduced point. A prisoner whose sentence is partially remitted, is released into the community prior to the completion of the full term of his sentence without any further supervision or restrictions. This is to be distinguished from the conditional release where a prisoner is released from prison under supervision or restrictions before the completion of the full term of the sentence. Furthermore, they would like to enquire whether such a system exists alongside other forms of early release
Yes.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?It is regulated in a specific Law of 1870 and also, in the article 206 of the Penitentiary Regulation.
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?The conditions are different, depending on the type of remission: the ones given after application of the Law of 1870, or the ones given under the application of the Penitentiary Regulation.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?It is not automatically granted and the decision, although the participation of judicial authorities, depends on the Goverment.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?No specific groups are excluded of this possibility. The conditions are the same for all inmates, which have to satisfice the requirements.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?The remission can be total or partial.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?Yes, if the remission is partial, inmates can go through conditional release.
La réduction de peine est possible en France. D’après l’article 721 du code pénal, une réduction de peine peut être accordée par le juge de l'application des peines, après avis de la commission de l'application des peines, aux condamnés exécutant une ou plusieurs peines privatives de liberté qui ont donné des preuves suffisantes de bonne conduite et qui ont manifesté des efforts sérieux de réinsertion. Cette réduction ne peut excéder six mois par année d'incarcération et quatorze jours par mois pour une durée d'incarcération inférieure à un an. S’agissant du régime de réduction des peines, la loi du 22 décembre 2021 pour la confiance dans l’institution judiciaire vient refondre le régime actuel en supprimant les crédits de réduction de peine automatique et en fusionnant le régime avec celui des réductions de peine supplémentaire. Il s’agit de mettre fin à l’automaticité des crédits de réduction de peine au profit d’un système fondé sur le mérite et la bonne conduite des détenus. L’article 11 de la loi pour la confiance en l’institution judiciaire datant du 22 décembre 2021 supprime donc les crédits de remise de peine et modifie le régime des autres mécanismes.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?Tous les articles figurent dans le code pénal au chapitre II : De l'exécution des peines privatives de liberté (Articles 716-1 à 723-39) et dans la loi du 22 décembre 2021 pour la confiance dans l’institution judiciaire.
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?Article 721 du code pénal : Les preuves suffisantes de bonne conduite sont appréciées en tenant compte notamment de l'absence d'incidents en détention, du respect du règlement intérieur de l'établissement ou des instructions de service, de l'implication dans la vie quotidienne ou du comportement avec le personnel pénitentiaire ou exerçant à l'établissement, avec les autres personnes détenues et avec les personnes en mission ou en visite. Les efforts sérieux de réinsertion sont appréciés en tenant compte notamment du suivi avec assiduité d'une formation scolaire, universitaire ou professionnelle ayant pour objet l'acquisition de connaissances nouvelles, des progrès dans le cadre d'un enseignement ou d'une formation, de l'engagement dans l'apprentissage de la lecture, de l'écriture et du calcul, de l'exercice d'une activité de travail, de la participation à des activités culturelles, notamment de lecture, de la participation à des activités sportives encadrées, du suivi d'une thérapie destinée à limiter les risques de récidive, de l'investissement soutenu dans un programme de prise en charge proposé par le service pénitentiaire d'insertion et de probation ou des versements volontaires des sommes dues aux victimes et au Trésor public. Dès que la condamnation est devenue définitive, le service pénitentiaire d'insertion et de probation travaille avec la personne en vue de la préparation d'une sortie encadrée. Dans le cadre de l'examen des réductions de peine, l'avis remis par le service pénitentiaire d'insertion et de probation au juge de l'application des peines comporte des éléments lui permettant de déterminer les mesures favorisant l'accompagnement des condamnés en fin de peine à travers un aménagement, une libération sous contrainte ou le suivi prévu à l'article 721-2. La situation de chaque condamné est examinée au moins une fois par an.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?D’après la nouvelle loi du 22 décembre 2021 pour la confiance dans l’institution judiciaire, il est prévu que le juge de l’application des peines pourra accorder des réductions de peines. Pour les condamnés exécutant une ou plusieurs peines privatives de liberté d'une durée totale inférieure ou égale à sept ans, ces réductions exceptionnelles sont accordées, après avis de la commission de l'application des peines, par ordonnance motivée du juge de l'application des peines, agissant d'office, sur demande du condamné, sur saisine du chef d'établissement ou sur réquisitions du procureur de la République, selon les modalités prévues à l'article 712-4-1 du code pénal. Pour les condamnés exécutant une ou plusieurs peines privatives de liberté d'une durée totale supérieure à sept ans, ces réductions exceptionnelles sont accordées par le tribunal de l'application des peines, sur demande du condamné, sur saisine du chef d'établissement, sur réquisitions du procureur de la République ou à l'initiative du juge de l'application des peines dont relève le condamné, selon les modalités prévues à l'article 712-7 du code pénal.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?Tous les actes terroristes ayant pour objet de troubler gravement l’ordre public ne peuvent pas faire l’objet d’une remise de peine. A savoir : - Les atteintes volontaires à la vie, les atteintes volontaires à l'intégrité de la personne, l'enlèvement et la séquestration ainsi que le détournement d'aéronef, de navire ou de tout autre moyen de transport, définis par le livre II du présent code ; - Les vols, les extorsions, les destructions, dégradations et détériorations, ainsi que les infractions en matière informatique définis par le livre III du présent code ; - Les infractions en matière de groupes de combat et de mouvements dissous définies par les articles 431-13 à 431-17 et les infractions définies par les articles 434-6 et 441-2 à 441-5 ; - Les infractions en matière d'armes, de produits explosifs ou de matières nucléaires ; - Le recel du produit de l'une des infractions prévues aux 1° à 4° ci-dessus ; - Les infractions de blanchiment prévues au chapitre IV du titre II du livre III du code pénal ; - Les délits d'initié prévus aux articles L. 465-1 à L. 465-3 du code monétaire et financier. La loi n° 2021-1729 du 22 décembre 2021 pour la confiance dans l’institution judiciaire vient préciser que pour les auteurs de violences sur personnes dépositaires de l’autorité publique, les possibilités de réduction de peine seront restreintes.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?Il est prévu dans la nouvelle loi sur la confiance dans l’institution judiciaire que le juge de l’application des peines pourra accorder des réductions de peines allant jusqu’à six mois par année de détention – et quatorze jours par mois pour une durée d’incarcération inférieure à un an. Une réduction de peine exceptionnelle, dont le quantum peut aller jusqu'au tiers de la peine prononcée, peut être accordée aux condamnés ayant permis, au cours de leur détention, y compris provisoire, d'éviter ou de mettre fin à toute action individuelle ou collective de nature à perturber gravement le maintien du bon ordre et la sécurité de l'établissement ou à porter atteinte à la vie ou à l'intégrité physique ou psychique des membres du personnel pénitentiaire ou des détenus de l'établissement. Dans le cas des condamnés à la réclusion criminelle à perpétuité, une réduction exceptionnelle du temps d'épreuve prévu au neuvième alinéa de l'article 729, dont le quantum peut aller jusqu'à cinq années, peut être accordée. Les périodes d’incarcération inférieures à 1 mois n’ouvrent pas droit à des crédits de réduction de peine, et les périodes d’incarcération inférieures à 1 mois n’ouvrent pas droit à réductions de peines supplémentaires.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?Le système de remise de peine est distinct de la libération conditionnelle. Contrairement à la réduction de peine, la libération conditionnelle est une mesure d'aménagement de peine. Le régime antérieur prévoyait trois mécanismes : les crédits de remise de peine, les réductions supplémentaires de peine et les réductions exceptionnelles de peine. En substance, les crédits de remise de peine étaient accordés de manière automatique aux personnes condamnées (à l’exception des condamnés pour des actes de terrorisme) à hauteur de trois mois pour la première année d’emprisonnement prononcée et de deux mois pour les années suivantes. S’agissant de la réduction supplémentaire de peine, le juge de l’application des peines pouvait l’accorder à la personne condamnée qui manifestait des efforts sérieux de réadaptation sociale (suivi d’enseignements, suivi thérapeutique, indemnisation des victimes, etc.). Cette réduction pouvait être accordée une fois par an, dans une limite de trois mois de réduction par année d’incarcération. Enfin, à ces deux outils s’ajoutait la réduction de peine exceptionnelle qui pouvait être accordée à celui qui collaborait en matière de criminalité organisée. Un nouveau cas est désormais prévu par la réforme, lorsqu’un condamné permet d’éviter des violences contre des agents pénitentiaires ou permet d’y mettre fin. Ce dispositif ayant vocation à s’appliquer dans des cas très particuliers, il ne fera pas l’objet de plus amples développements.
The calculation of prisoners sentence is grounded in law by Rule 59 (1) of the Prison Rules 2007, as amended by the Prison (Amended) 2014 (S.I. No. 227 2014). It provides as follows:- A prisoner who has been sentenced to — (a) a term of imprisonment or (b) terms of imprisonment to be served consecutively, shall be eligible, by good conduct, to earn a remission of sentence not exceeding one quarter (25%) of such term or terms, as the case may be. If a prisoner is of bad behaviour or received disciplinary sanctions they may lose remission which will add time to their sentence
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?The calculation of prisoners sentence is grounded in law by Rule 59 (1) of the Prison Rules 2007, as amended by the Prison (Amended) 2014 (S.I. No. 227 2014).
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?Good behaviour.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?Automatically granted.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?Yes life sentenced prisoners and contempt of court prisoners are exempt from same.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?Automatically one quarter (25%) but prisoners can apply to receive up to 33% remission where they must be of good behaviour and engaged actively with the various Therapeutic Services within the prison.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?Yes.
Yes
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?The Code on the Enforcement of Sentences of the Republic of Lithuania stipulates that an inmate may be granted remission on the following basis: 1) after serving the fixed-term sentence imposed by the court – at the accomplishment of the sentence imposed by the court. Afterwards no restrictions shall apply; 2) by the act of amnesty - a person who commits a criminal act may be released from serving the entire sentence or a part thereof by an amnesty act passed by the parliament; 3) a person may be released from serving the entire sentence or a part thereof where the President of the Republic grants the clemency plea; 4) where the sentence has been quashed and the pre-trial investigation discontinued; 5) whose sentence has been reduced to the time served; 6) suffering from a serious incurable illness, where the court has issued an order to that effect - no restrictions apply (compulsory treatment may be imposed).
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?When granting a clemency, the nature and gravity of the offence committed, an inmate’s personality, behaviour, employment, health, the length of the sentence served, the compensation for material and non-material damage, the opinion of the prison administration, of other penitentiary authority, public organizations, employers and other persons in social contact with an inmate, the achievement of the objective of the sentence, and any other circumstances relevant to the granting of the clemency shall be taken into consideration.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?The conditions for amnesty are laid down in a specific law adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania; a clemency is granted only on an inmate’s request, the President taking the individual decision case by case.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?Amnesty shall not be granted to life sentenced inmates, while the clemency requests of life sentenced inmates may be considered after the completion of 10 years of sentence.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?The entire sentence or a part of it, e.g., the sentence may be reduced by one year.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?It is not possible for an inmate to obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time.
Yes, however such remission is possible only on the basis of the right of the President of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter only “President”) established in the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and that through the granting of individual pardon. During the pardon application procedure, the President may also order the suspension or interruption of the prison sentence. The remission does not apply to other punishments, if they were imposed to an offender concurrently and remained unaffected by the decision of the President.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?The remission of the prison sentence is regulated by: Constitution of the Slovak Republic (Art. 102 Sec. 1 letter j.); Criminal Procedure Code of the Slovak Republic (Sec. 472); Criminal Code of the Slovak Republic (Sec. 89).
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?The remission is granted on the basis of the application for pardon and other documents according to individual specifics related to a specific person, which are ensured for the President by the Minister of Justice of the SR. In case that the applicant has been already serving the prison sentence, the relevant prison shall prepare the written assessment of this applicant on the basis of the request of the Ministry of Justice of the SR.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?The President decides on the granting of pardon on the basis of an application.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?No, each convict with the final judgement has the right to apply for an individual pardon.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?The remission of the sentence is possible in the full length of the sentence imposed or its remainder.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?No, the inmate cannot obtain a remission of the sentence and a conditional release at the same time. In addition to the above mentioned individual pardon, there also exists the institute of amnesty. It is mass remission of sentences, which applies either to all convicts or only to some groups (e.g. only for some particular crimes). It can be also limited e.g. by the length of the sentence. The amnesty is decided by the President, whereby the signature of the Prime Minister or other minister authorised by him/her is also required for its validity. Moreover, in our rule of law, there exists also the institute of waiver of the prison sentence or its remainder. The Minister of Justice may waive the execution of the prison sentence or its remainder, if the convict was expelled or is to be expelled. If there is no expulsion or if a person returns expelled, the court shall decide whether or not the prison sentence or its remainder shall be served. The court may waive the execution of the prison sentence or its remainder, if it finds out that the convict became ill to incurable, life-threatening disease or incurable mental disease.
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Yes.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?The 1814 constitution § 20.
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?Remission can be given only in very special circumstances. The pratice is very limitied, and only a few applications are accepted yearly.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?The final decision is taken by the Government on behalf of the King of Norway. The ministry of Justice is authorized to refuse applications. In 2020 only one person who had started the execution in the correctional service was released on remission.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?No.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?All or parts of the sentence.
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?Yes. Conditional release is very much used in Norway.
Yes, in Italy a remission of prison sentence is provided for, as described in the request, named “early release”.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?Early release is regulated by the Italian Penitentiary Act, article 54
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?The detained persons can be granted early release when they show effective participation in the rehabilitation process.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?Early release is granted by the supervisory judge upon written application by the inmate or by his defence counsel.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission?Yes, there are prisoners who cannot be granted early release. They are indicated by article 4-b of the Italian Penitentiary Act (offenders sentenced for mafia-type criminal association, international drug-trafficking, both national and international terrorism, sex offenders, perpetrators of crimes against public administration, such as corruption or illegal abuse of one’s position for personal gain). Those offenders will be able to apply for early release and other benefits, such as prison leaves and measures alternative to detention, only when they cooperate with justice, under the various forms provided for by the law.
How much of the sentence can be remitted?The reduction of the sentence time is the following: 45 days per each semester of sentence served (which means three months per each year served).
Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?In our Country, there are other forms of alternative measures, which allow inmates to be early released from prison and to serve the remaining part of their sentence in the community. Said measures always provide for a monitoring by the probation service. The persons who benefit from a measure alterative to detention can be granted also the reduction of sentence provided for by early release (paragraph 12 of article 47 of the Italian Penitentiary Act)
In Article 62 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 titled “Grounds for Discretionary Mitigation”; the provisions are stated as “(1) Where there are grounds for discretionary mitigation, a penalty of life imprisonment shall be imposed where the offence committed requires a penalty of aggravated life imprisonment; or twenty-five years imprisonment where the offence committed requires a penalty of life imprisonment. Otherwise the penalty to be imposed shall be reduced by up to one-sixth. (2) In the evaluation of discretionary mitigation the following matters shall be taken into account: background, social relations, the behaviour of the offender after the commission of the offence and during the trial period, and the potential effects of the penalty on the future of the offender. The reasons for any discretionary mitigation are to be stated in the judgement.” All efforts and transactions are carried out within the framework of the provisions of the aforementioned legislation.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)?As known; Article 105/A of the Law No. 5275 on the Execution of Penalties and Security Measures, titled "Execution of the sentence by applying the probation measure", regulates the procedures and principles regarding the execution of the sentences by applying the probation measure. The implementation of the decisions given by the judicial authorities is carried out by the probation units, and instead of arrest or imprisonment, the duty and authority to decide on probation measure in case legal conditions arise, has been given to independent courts and other judicial authorities where permitted by law. On the other hand, within the periods specified in Article 107 of the Law No. 5275 titled "Conditional Release", convicts being stayed in prisons across our country are released on probation by the decision of the execution judge to complete their remaining sentences outside the institution by giving a good behavior decision about them from the point of administration and observation board regarding that they comply with the rules set for the order and security of the institution, use their rights in good faith, fulfil their obligations completely, participate in the rehabilitation programs implemented and become ready to integrate with the society.
On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.?As known; Article 105/A of the Law No. 5275 on the Execution of Penalties and Security Measures, titled "Execution of the sentence by applying the probation measure", regulates the procedures and principles regarding the execution of the sentences by applying the probation measure. The implementation of the decisions given by the judicial authorities is carried out by the probation units, and instead of arrest or imprisonment, the duty and authority to decide on probation measure in case legal conditions arise, has been given to independent courts and other judicial authorities where permitted by law. On the other hand, within the periods specified in Article 107 of the Law No. 5275 titled "Conditional Release", convicts being stayed in prisons across our country are released on probation by the decision of the execution judge to complete their remaining sentences outside the institution by giving a good behavior decision about them from the point of administration and observation board regarding that they comply with the rules set for the order and security of the institution, use their rights in good faith, fulfil their obligations completely, participate in the rehabilitation programs implemented and become ready to integrate with the society.
What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner?On the other hand, within the periods specified in Article 107 of the Law No. 5275 titled "Conditional Release", convicts being stayed in prisons across our country are released on probation by the decision of the execution judge to complete their remaining sentences outside the institution by giving a good behavior decision about them from the point of administration and observation board regarding that they comply with the rules set for the order and security of the institution, use their rights in good faith, fulfil their obligations completely, participate in the rehabilitation programs implemented and become ready to integrate with the society.
Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission? How much of the sentence can be remitted? Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?In addition, in Article 62 of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 titled “Grounds for Discretionary Mitigation”; the provisions are stated as “(1) Where there are grounds for discretionary mitigation, a penalty of life imprisonment shall be imposed where the offence committed requires a penalty of aggravated life imprisonment; or twenty-five years imprisonment where the offence committed requires a penalty of life imprisonment. Otherwise the penalty to be imposed shall be reduced by up to one-sixth. (2) In the evaluation of discretionary mitigation the following matters shall be taken into account: background, social relations, the behaviour of the offender after the commission of the offence and during the trial period, and the potential effects of the penalty on the future of the offender. The reasons for any discretionary mitigation are to be stated in the judgement.” All efforts and transactions are carried out within the framework of the provisions of the aforementioned legislation
Sweden does not have a system for remission. In Sweden conditional release is taking place after the convicted person has served two thirds of the sentence. There are some possibilities to postpone the conditional release but not to apply for a conditional release earlier than two thirds. The convicted person may apply for grace, which is tried by the government.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)? On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.? What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner? Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission? How much of the sentence can be remitted? Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM) / Special Remission The Secretary of State has a very wide discretion to grant a reduction under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy (RPM). As this is such a wide discretion, there are no fixed rules about how much reduction a prisoner might receive. Remission or partial remission of a penalty under the RPM, may be considered in two types of case: a) a pledge of public faith. This most commonly occurs when a prisoner's release dates are incorrectly calculated; or b) for meritorious conduct*, such as saving the life of another offender / member of staff or coming to the aid of a member of staff. *A remission will only be considered for meritorious acts committed during the prisoner’s current sentence. All sentenced prisoners may be considered for RPM where appropriate, irrespective of the type of sentence being served. For indeterminate prisoners (those serving a life sentence or Imprisonment for Public Protection) who have served the minimum term set by the court, remission may only bring the next parole review date forward. The Prison Governor/Director will make an application for special remission under the RPM where they feel a prisoner’s actions warrants recognition and no other means of rewarding the prisoner are appropriate or, in cases where there is a mistake in the calculation and the error has a significantly negative impact on the prisoner . The Governor/Director will then submit the application to the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) in the Public Protection Group. In exceptional circumstances an application may come to PPCS via the Police where a prisoner has assisted them in an investigation. Such applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis dependent upon the circumstances. PPCS will seek information from the Prison Governor/Director where appropriate in these cases. Once PPCS has considered the amount of award (if any), they will refer the application to the Sentence Calculation Policy team in the Bail, Sentencing and Release Policy Unit, who will calculate the actual amount of remission required to achieve a proposed release date and/or calculate what the new tariff/effective automatic release date/parole eligibility date and licence end date will be, if remission were to be granted. Where PPCS are accepting in principle the application and recommending less than 6 weeks’ special remission for determinate-sentenced prisoners, they will submit the application for a formal decision by the relevant Deputy Director. The Deputy Director will inform the Director General for Prisons of the decision. Where PPCS are recommending special remission of more than 6 weeks for determinate-sentenced prisoners or recommending any special remission for indeterminate-sentenced prisoners, or in other cases of exceptional interest, they will first refer the case to the Deputy Director. The Deputy Director will submit the recommendation to the Director General for Prisons for approval. If the decision is to approve, the Director General will then refer the case to the Minister, who will then make the final decision on remission. Any risks associated with the case will be highlighted in the submission to the Minister, along with any victim issues. PPCS will notify the Prison Governor/Director of the Deputy Director or Minister’s decision. The Governor/Director will then ensure the prisoner is notified of the outcome, including changes to their release or licence dates if the decision is to reduce the sentence.
Where can the legal basis for the remission be found (article, code,…)? On what basis is the remission granted, e.g. good behaviour, work in prison, obtaining a diploma, active participation in activities, etc.? What institution takes the decision to grant a remission? Is it automatically granted or upon request of the prisoner? Are there (groups of) individuals that are not eligible for a remission? How much of the sentence can be remitted? Does the system of remission exists besides other forms of early release such as the conditional release in your country? Can a prisoner obtain a remission of sentence and a conditional release at the same time?