It is not to be equiparated with a determinate sentence of a court for the same number of years.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Glasgow and West | Lord Menzies sentence statement

Recorder Guy Ayers changed the tariff to a determinate sentence lasting six years.

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In the case of a determinate sentence, a prisoner is generally entitled to be released from prison on licence having served a specified percentage of his sentence.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Glasgow and West | Lord Menzies sentence statement

Because a determinate prisoner is released at the half way point in his sentence, a life sentence with a minimum term is the equivalent of a determinate sentence of double that length.

BBC: Sentencing remarks on Stuart Hazell from Mr Justice Nicol

Shahjahan, now 29, was given a new determinate sentence of 17 years and eight months and he must serve half of that before he is eligible for release on licence.

BBC: Stoke terror sentences revised