Types of prison sentence
Indeterminate prison sentences
An indeterminate prison sentence does not have a fixed length of time.
This means:
- no date is set for your release
- you have to spend a minimum amount of time in prison (called a ‘tariff’) before you’re considered for release
The Parole Board is responsible for deciding if you can be released from prison.
Indeterminate sentences are given if a court thinks you’re a danger to the public. A life sentence is a type of indeterminate sentence.