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Escape from custody and prison breachVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
s. 144 — prison breach — indictable
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 10 years
- Fine
- No fine stated
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 144 — prison breach — summary conviction
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years less a day (s. 787 default)
- Fine
- Fine $0–$5,000 (s. 787 default)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 145(1) — escape / at large without excuse — indictable
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years
- Fine
- No fine stated
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 145(1) — escape / at large without excuse — summary conviction
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years less a day (s. 787 default)
- Fine
- Fine $0–$5,000 (s. 787 default)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Summary tiers use the s. 787 general summary penalty.