How does parole work?

Transparency

The Parole Board welcomes transparency, it is just optimistic that the general public higher perceive our work and the important position we play within the justice system, and defending the general public from hurt. Since 2018 we now have been offering summaries of choices, that are primarily requested by victims but in addition by the media and members of the general public. In 2023/24 we produced round 1700 of those summaries, setting out the explanations for our selections.

Reconsideration

Since 2019 our selections have been topic to reconsideration the place both a prisoner or the Secretary of State can apply for a call to be reconsidered. The bar for reconsideration is excessive and it should be on account of a call being irrational, procedurally unfair or comprise an error of regulation. If the applying is granted then the parole overview will should be undertaken afresh. While the Secretary of State can apply for a launch resolution to be reconsidered, the ultimate resolution as as to whether a prisoner is appropriate for launch lies with the Parole Board.

Public hearings

Since 2022 we’re additionally now holding some parole hearings in public.  Anybody is entitled to use to the Parole Board for a prisoner’s oral listening to to be held in open (streamed to the general public and the media), but when there are explanation why a public listening to shouldn’t be applicable then the applying won’t be granted. A listening to will probably be held in public whether it is within the pursuits of justice. If an oral listening to shouldn’t be public however there are victims who want to observe then they now have an automated proper to request to attend and this will probably be determined upon by the panel chair of the oral listening to. Nearly all of these requests at the moment are being granted.

BBC documentary

We’re additionally working collaboratively with the BBC on a second collection of the Parole documentary which can exit on the finish of September 2024 on the BBC and iPlayer

These steps have led to our processes and decision-making turning into extra clear to victims, the general public and prisoners themselves. We’re regularly taking a look at how we will enhance the way in which the parole course of works, so folks going via the system can perceive and trust in how we preserve the general public protected.

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