- new powers for ministers to refuse release of highest-risk
prisoners
- stronger release test to put emphasis back on public
protection
- victims able to attend hearings in full – some to be held in
public for first time
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab today (30 March 2022) announced a
package of landmark reforms designed to restore public confidence
in the system, including a tougher Parole Board release test to
ensure prisoners who still pose a risk are kept behind bars.
The most dangerous offenders - murderers, rapists, terrorists and
those who have caused or allowed the death of a child - will also
now face ministerial scrutiny, including a new power to block
their release in the interests of public safety. Where the Parole
Board cannot confidently say the prisoner is safe to leave
prison, they will refer the decision to the Justice Secretary.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for
Justice, , said
Through our parole reforms, we will stand up for the rights of
victims and make public safety the overriding factor in deciding
on parole decisions.
That’s why we are changing the criteria for release, putting more
people with law enforcement experience on Parole Board panels,
and adding a Ministerial check on release of the most serious
offenders.
The package of reforms announced today will strengthen the law to
ensure that the parole systems puts the emphasis firmly back on
public protection. This includes:
- Enshrining in law the expectation that the Parole Board will
take a more precautionary approach. The wording in legislation
will leave no room for interpretation and make clear that the
only priority is whether a prisoner is safe to release
- Greater ministerial scrutiny on the release of the most
dangerous offenders, including a new power to block their release
in the interests of public safety
- Changing the law to increase the proportion of Parole Board
members from policing backgrounds, and ensure they sit on
hearings for the most dangerous offenders. Their first-hand
experience in dealing with serious offenders and the risk they
pose will put a greater focus on public protection in parole
hearings. Currently, less than 5 per cent of the Parole Board’s
membership falls into this category.
The reforms will also restore confidence in its work and put
public safety at the heart of every parole decision. It will put
victims front and centre of the process and give them a stronger
voice. This will include:
- Parole boards required to consider submissions from victims
when making release decisions
- Victims will be given the chance to attend hearings as an
observer and ask questions. Currently, victims are limited to a
statement shared with the Board explaining how the crime impacted
on their life
- The Parole Board will trial more detailed decision letters
for victims, explaining their thinking more clearly and
increasing transparency
- Along with victims, the media and prisoners will be able to
apply for a hearing to be held publicly, with the board
considering whether it would be in the interests of justice. This
follows the case of rapist John Worboys which prompted calls for
the greater transparency.
Today’s publication of the ‘Root and Branch’ review delivers on a
manifesto pledge to make the system more transparent and improve
victims’ experience. Offenders subject to life sentences,
indeterminate sentences for public protection, extended sentences
and certain recall cases are all subject to the parole process,
meaning their release must be directed by the Parole Board.
Notes to editors
- The full Root and Branch
review can be found on GOV.UK
- Currently, parole hearings are conducted by a panel of one to
three members who come from a variety of backgrounds, including
judges and psychiatrists. The panel considers a wide range of
evidence and hears from the professionals working with a
prisoner, such as probation officers or prison psychologists, and
listens to victims about the impact the crime had on their lives.
In order to direct release, the panel must be satisfied that it
is no longer necessary for an offender to be in prison in the
interest of public protection. In practice this means ensuring
that any risk presented by a prisoner can be safely managed in
the community.
