If you’re sent to prison for 2 or more crimes, you’ll usually get a sentence for each crime. The judge or magistrate will tell you whether your prison sentences will be served concurrently or consecutively.
Concurrent sentences
If your sentences are concurrent, it means you will serve them at the same time.
For example, if you get one 6-month sentence and one 3-month sentence, the total sentence will be 6 months.
This is because you will serve the 3-month sentence at the same time as the 6-month sentence.
Consecutive sentences
If your sentences are consecutive, it means you will serve them one after the other.
For example, if you get one 6-month sentence and one 3-month sentence, the total sentence will be 9 months. You will serve the first sentence, then you’ll serve the second sentence after that.