Overview

This bill amends the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, shortening the time individuals have criminal records. It alters the length of rehabilitation periods for various offences, generally reducing them, and clarifies the process for certain orders.

Description

Changes to Rehabilitation Periods

The bill significantly alters the rehabilitation periods under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. For adults, sentences of more than four years will have a four-year rehabilitation period (previously longer); sentences of two to four years will have a two-year period (previously longer); and sentences up to two years will have a one-year period (previously longer). For offenders under 18 at the time of conviction, the periods are reduced to four, two and six months respectively. The bill also clarifies the rehabilitation periods for compensation orders, community orders, and youth rehabilitation orders. It removes road traffic endorsements from the scope of the act and is effective in England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The changes relate to the length of time criminal records are held, not to direct government expenditure.

Groups Affected

• Individuals with criminal records: This bill will affect individuals with criminal records, particularly those convicted of offences resulting in custodial sentences. Their records may be considered spent sooner.
• Employers: Employers conducting background checks may need to adjust their practices to reflect the shorter rehabilitation periods.
• Criminal justice agencies: Agencies involved in managing and accessing criminal records will need to update their systems to reflect the changes.

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