Following the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, record will be ‘clean’ after a period of seven years if no further offences are committed.
Those convicted of less serious crimes that receive a custodial sentence of four years of more will benefit from this reform.
The reasoning behind this is to remove the barriers people face after they have been remanded and facilitate a more seamless integration back into employment and everyday life.
This will not apply to those convicted of serious sexual, violent, or terrorist offences.
What does this change mean?
- Custody for a year or less will have to declare it for 12 months
- Custody for between one and four years will need to be declared for four years
- Custody of more than four years for seven
