Eligibility for Parole

1. Every prisoner serving a sentence of imprisonment for a period of at least four years, except for a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for life, is eligible to be considered for parole for the first time if that prisoner:
   a) ​has served at least one-half of his or her sentence of imprisonment; and
   b) has completed an approved counselling or rehabilitation programme where applicable
2. For the purposes of subsection (1) (a), where the prisoner was under the age of eighteen years on the date when the sentence which he or she is serving was passed, the sentence of imprisonment shall be computed by substituting six months for twelve months.
3. A judge upon sentencing a person to imprisonment for life, shall state whether such person may be eligible to be considered for parole and, if a person is found to be so eligible, state a minimum period of imprisonment that such person shall serve before being considered for parole for the first time.
4. A prisoner who is not released on licence after a parole hearing is eligible for reconsideration for parole twelve months after the date of the last hearing if the remaining part of his or her sentence is more than twelve months.
5. For the purpose of determining the length of that part of the sentence which a prisoner has served, any period spent in custody before conviction; between conviction and sentence; and pending the determination of an appeal against conviction or sentence, shall be taken into account as if he or she had served that period as part of the sentence, unless the court otherwise directs.