How Russell Brand could be freed early despite release scheme law change

Russell Brand was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of rape and three sexual assaults. Although a change to the early-release scheme excludes people convicted of rape, he could still leave prison before completing the full term under separate sentencing rules.

Those rules allow release on licence after two-thirds of the sentence, subject to probation supervision and conditions; breaching them can lead to recall to prison. Brand, who has already spent four nights in custody, is expected to serve about seven years in prison and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.