.”, 35 (b) after subsection (7) insert— “(7A) Subsection (7)(b) does not apply where the prisoner fell to be released on or by an excepted day and the release was brought forward to a Thursday by virtue of subsection (7)(a). 7 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (7B) For the purposes of subsections (7) and (7A)— (a) an “excepted day” is a day which is— (i) a Friday, (ii) a Saturday, 5 (iii) a Sunday, (iv) a public holiday, (v) the day before a public holiday, (b) a “suitable release day” is a day which is not— (i) in a case where subsection (7)(a) applies, an excepted day, 10 (ii) in a case where subsection (7)(b) applies, an excepted day or a 1 Thursday.”. 7 Release on licence of long-term prisoners (1) The 1993 Act is amended as follows. (2) In section 1A (application to certain persons serving more than one sentence), in 15 subsection (1)(c), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (3) In section 1B (prisoners serving consecutive sentences including at least one terrorism sentence), in subsection (11), after “3AA” insert “or 3AB”. (4) In section 3AA (further powers to release prisoners)— (a) subsection (1)(b) and “or” immediately preceding it are repealed, 20 (aa) subsection (7) is repealed, (b) in the section title, after “release” insert “short-term”. (5) After that section insert— “3AB Further powers to release long-term prisoners (1) The Scottish Ministers may release on licence under this section a long-term 25 prisoner whose release under section 1 has not been recommended by the Parole Board. (2) Before releasing a long-term prisoner by virtue of subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult the Parole Board. (3) If directed to do so by the Parole Board, the Scottish Ministers must release 30 on licence under this section a long-term prisoner whose release on having served one half of the prisoner’s sentence has been recommended by the Board. (4) In deciding whether to release a long-term prisoner by virtue of subsection (1) or direct the release of a prisoner by virtue of subsection (3), the Scottish Ministers or, as the case may be, the Parole Board must have regard to 35 considerations of— (a) protecting the public at large, (b) preventing re-offending by the prisoner, and (c) securing the successful re-integration of the prisoner into the community. 8 Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Part 2—release from custody (5) A long-term prisoner may not be released on licence under this section before the beginning of the period of 180 days ending with the day on which the prisoner will have served one half of the prisoner’s sentence. (6) The period for which a long-term prisoner is to be released on licence under 5 this section (the “release period”)— (a) may not exceed 180 days on any one occasion, (b) is to be specified— (i) where subsection (1) applies, by the Scottish Ministers, (ii) where subsection (3) applies, by the Parole Board. 10 (7) Subject to subsection (6)(a), the Scottish Ministers or, as the case may be, the 1 Parole Board may extend the release period specified by virtue of subsection (6)(b)(i) or, as the case may be, (ii). (8) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section requires the Scottish Ministers or the Parole Board to make a decision by a particular date...