FAO Willow and Accymel - he will serve half his sentence in custody and will be released on an "at risk" licence and serve the remainder of his sentence in the community. Parole doesn't come into it. If you are sentenced under the 1991 Criminal Justice Act you are only parole eligible if you receive a sentence of 4 years or more. Under the 2003 CJA, the only sentences that are parole eligible are extended sentences for public protection. Hope that helps to partly explain the very complicated criminal justice system in this country.
Stanleybabe 