What does a concurrent sentence mean?

A concurrent sentence refers to a situation where two or more sentences are served simultaneously, meaning that the time a person spends in prison for all sentences overlaps. For instance, if an individual receives a five-year sentence for one charge and a three-year sentence for another charge to be served concurrently, they will serve a total of five years rather than the combined eight years that would occur if the sentences were served consecutively. This concept allows for a reduced overall time in incarceration, as multiple sentences are combined rather than added together.

In contrast, the other options describe different circumstances regarding how sentences might be served. For example, serving after another sentence indicates a sequential serving of sentences (consecutive sentences), while serving separately in different locations refers to a situation often associated with distinct facilities, which again would not imply concurrent service. Serving on probation suggests an alternative to incarceration altogether, focusing instead on monitoring and supervision outside of prison.