Section 5(7) Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 states:

Where in respect of a conviction a hospital order . . . (with or without a restriction order) was made, the rehabilitation period applicable to the sentence shall be the period of five years from the date of conviction or a period beginning with that date and ending two years after the date on which the hospital order ceases or ceased to have effect, whichever is the longer.

The "date on which the hospital order ceases... to have effect", in relation to restricted patients, is taken to mean the date of absolute discharge rather than conditional discharge.

The Nacro advice sheets below provide full information on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

External links

Statute Law Database - the Act and associated Orders.

Nacro advice leaflets:

Resettlement Information: Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

A Simple Guide to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Other advice leaflets