Conditional imprisonment
The court decides whether a sentence of imprisonment is conditional or unconditional. Persons sentenced to conditional imprisonment will only be sent to prison if they violate the conditions of their sentence.
The court may impose a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding two years as conditional. The probationary period for conditional imprisonment ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years.
If the court considers conditional imprisonment alone to be an insufficient punishment, it may impose a fine as an ancillary sanction. If the length of conditional imprisonment is eight months or more, the court may also impose ancillary community serviceof between 14 and 120 hours or supervision.
If the sentenced person commits an offence during the probationary period for which the person is sentenced to unconditional imprisonment, the court may order the conditional imprisonment to be enforced in full or in part. The decision between conditional and unconditional imprisonment is based on an overall assessment of the offence.
More information:
Enforcement of prison sentences
Unconditional imprisonment
Prisons
Published 30.5.2025