When will they get out of prison?

Put in the sentence and we will work out the likely release date, using the right rules for England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Free, quick, and no sign-up.

Not sure? Pick the first one. It covers most people.
As the judge said it. Like "4 years 6 months". For an extended sentence, put the prison part only.
The day in court. The sentence starts that day. This is called being . A rough number is fine. Put 0 if they were on bail.
Only counts if they had an ankle tag and had to stay in for 9 hours or more a day. Two days on the tag count as one day served.

How release dates work in England and Wales

A fixed sentence has two parts. Part one is in prison. Part two is at home, . Where the line falls depends on the offence:

Sentence Gets out at From the new rules (staged from 1 Oct 2026)
Normal fixed sentence (most people) 40% One third
Sexual, violent or domestic abuse offences that are excluded from the 40% rule Half One third (rape, serious child sex offences and unlawful killing are excluded and stay as they are)
Most serious sexual or violent offences Two thirds Half
Extended sentence (EDS) Parole Board decides, from two thirds of the prison part No change
Life or IPP Parole Board decides No change

How release works in Scotland

Scotland has its own law, and it changed on 12 May 2026. Most people serving under 4 years are now released at 30% of the sentence, including people already serving. Sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences are excluded and stay at half. People serving 4 years or more can be freed by the Parole Board for Scotland from the half way point, and if parole never comes they are released on licence 6 months before the end. Scotland also runs its own home detention curfew scheme: ask the prison, or see the Scottish Prison Service family pages.

How release works in Northern Ireland

Most fixed sentences in Northern Ireland split in half: the first half in prison, the second on licence. Extended and indeterminate sentences go to the Parole Commissioners. The rules are in the official nidirect guide to custodial sentences.

Recalled: what happens now?

If someone got out and was sent back for breaking their licence rules in England or Wales, pick "They got out, then got recalled" in the tool above. Since 31 March 2026, most people on normal sentences serve a fixed 56 days after recall, then get out again. It is different for serious cases, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland where the parole bodies decide. Recall explained.

What can change the date

The prison works out the official date. The person inside can ask the for their sentence calculation sheet. If a date matters for housing or work, check it with the prison.

Common questions

How much of a prison sentence do you actually serve?

It depends where they were sentenced. In England and Wales, most normal fixed sentences are released at 40% under the rules in force at sentencing, moving to one third in stages from 1 October 2026, starting with the shortest sentences. In Scotland, most sentences under 4 years mean release at 30%, and long sentences need the Parole Board from half way. In Northern Ireland, release is normally at half. Serious sexual, violent and domestic abuse offences serve more everywhere.

Are the rules different in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Yes, completely. Each nation has its own release laws, its own parole system and its own early release schemes. This calculator asks where they were sentenced and uses the right rules. Our other tools mostly cover England and Wales, and say so.

Is the 40% early release still happening in England and Wales?

For now, yes, but it is about to change. The Sentencing Act 2026 replaces the 40% point with release at one third, and it starts in stages by sentence length: sentences under 575 days (about 19 months) move over on 1 October 2026, then longer sentences roughly monthly until 8 June 2027 for the longest. Rape, serious child sex offences and unlawful killing (including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving) are excluded and stay on the current rules. The prison recalculates the date when their tranche starts.

What is the Scottish 30% rule?

From 12 May 2026, most people serving under 4 years in Scotland are released after 30% of the sentence. It applies to people already serving too. It does not apply to sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences, which stay at half. People serving 4 years or more need the Parole Board for Scotland from the half way point.

Does time on remand count?

Yes, in all parts of the UK. Time held in custody before sentencing counts towards the sentence. In England and Wales it comes off automatically. In Scotland the court normally backdates the sentence to cover it, so check whether the judge already counted it before taking it off again here.

What if the release date lands on a weekend?

Prisons do not normally release people on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday. If the date lands on one, release usually moves to the working day before.

Can they get out even earlier on a tag?

Not any more for adults in England and Wales. The tag scheme (HDC) ended for adults from 2 September 2026. Only people whose HDC referral was processed before 25 June 2026 with an eligibility date before 2 September still go out on it. HDC remains for some youth sentences. Scotland runs its own separate home detention curfew scheme. Our tag checker explains who is still affected.

What is recall? They got out but went back in.

People released early are on licence, and breaking the rules can mean being sent back. In England and Wales, most people on normal sentences now serve a fixed 56 days after recall. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, recall goes to their own parole bodies. This calculator handles England and Wales recalls.

While you wait for that date Keeping in touch matters most. Read what happens in the first 48 hours and how to find which prison someone is in.
Where this comes from

Checked: 13 September 2026 We update this page when the rules change.