Types of prison sentence
Sentences for children and young people under 18
If you’re under 18 you’ll be treated differently to adults by a court. You will only get a custodial sentence in some cases.
The sentence cannot be longer than an adult would get for the same crime.
Detention and training orders
If you’re aged between 12 and 17 you could get a detention and training order. This lasts between 4 months and 2 years.
You would serve the first half of the sentence in custody.
You’d serve the second half of the sentence in the community ‘under supervision’.
You must meet certain conditions when serving a sentence under supervision.
If you break the conditions while under supervision, you might be sent back into custody.
Longer custodial sentences
If you’re under 18 you could get a longer custodial sentence for a serious crime. For example, a crime that was violent or sexual.
You would serve some of the sentence in custody.
You’d serve the rest of the sentence in the community ‘on licence’.
You must meet certain conditions when serving a sentence on licence.
Life sentences
If you’re found guilty of murder, a court must give you a life sentence. A court could give a life sentence for other serious offences like rape or armed robbery.
The court decides how long you must serve in custody before you can be considered for parole.
If you’re released, you’ll be put on licence for the rest of your life.