Suspended Sentence
A sentence of imprisonment that is not served immediately. The offender is released subject to conditions for an 'operational period' of up to 2 years. If they breach the conditions or commit a further offence, the suspended sentence may be activated.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Section 286 of the Sentencing Act 2020 defines a suspended sentence order as an order providing that a sentence of imprisonment or detention in a young offender institution in respect of an offence is not to take effect unless an 'activation event' occurs and a court subsequently orders that the sentence is to take effect. Unless and until that happens, the offender does not go to prison.
The order can also carry conditions of its own: a suspended sentence order may also specify one or more available community requirements with which the offender must comply during the supervision period. An activation event occurs if the offender commits another offence in the United Kingdom during the operational period, whether or not that new offence is itself punishable with imprisonment, or breaches a community requirement imposed by the order during the supervision period — either of which can lead a court to order that the suspended prison term now takes effect.
Related terms
Official sources
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