Throughcare: Stages in the Provision of a Throughcare Service to Prisoners

Throughcare Map

Statutory Throughcare

Prisoners released on any of the following are subject to statutory throughcare.

Supervised Release Order

Any person (other than a sex offender) sentenced on solemn procedure to less than four years in custody can be ordered to be compulsorily supervised for up to one year following release.

Extended Sentence (may apply to sentences under four years)

Any person sentenced on solemn procedure in the High Court for a violent or sexual offence, and in the Sheriff Court for a sexual offence, can be ordered by the Court to be under 'extended supervision' following release. The period of extension can be up to three years in the Sheriff Court and 10 years in the High Court.

Parole Licence

Any person serving a sentence of four years or over (but excluding life) can ask the Parole Board to be considered for release on licence after serving half of the sentence. The Parole Board has to consider the risk that the offender may pose to the public and whether these risks can be managed in the community. The Parole Board will consider reports from criminal justice social workers, prison social workers, prison officers, psychiatrists etc.

Non Parole Licence

Any person serving a sentence of four years or over (but excluding life) who fails to be liberated on Parole, is automatically released on Licence after serving two thirds of the sentence.

Life Licence

Any prisoner serving a life sentence is given a 'punishment tariff'. This is the minimum period that the offender has to serve before being eligible for release on Licence by the Parole Board. The Parole Board has to consider the risk the offender may pose to the public and whether these risks can be managed in the community. The Parole Board will consider reports from criminal justice social workers, prison social workers, prison officers, psychiatrists etc.

Please note that the contents of Throughcare Map have not been updated since 2009. As a result, certain of the processes described here may no longer be current and accurate. It remains online as an historical resource, but has been superseded by Youth & criminal justice in Scotland: the young person's journey.