Getting parole
Parole Board hearing
You may have to go to a hearing before the Parole Board can make a decision.
You’ll get a hearing if:
- the Parole Board thinks there’s a realistic prospect of you being released or moved to open conditions
- they need more evidence from you because the file did not give them what they needed
- for any other reason, the Board thinks it would be fair to give you an oral hearing
You’ll be told when and how the hearing will be held.
Hearings and coronavirus (COVID-19)
Because of coronavirus, most hearings are now taking place remotely - either by phone or video.
If the Parole Board decides your case needs a face to face hearing, it will work with the prison to make arrangements for a safe hearing to take place.
What happens at the hearing
Up to 3 members of a panel will decide whether to release you based on a file of documents the prison puts together. This includes:
- your behaviour in prison
- what you plan to do once released
- whether you’re likely to commit more crime or are a danger to the public
- why you’re in prison
- previous offences
- what the judge said when you were sentenced
- the victim statement - this may be read at the hearing
- medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence
Who’ll be at the hearing
You must usually attend the Parole Board hearing.
There will be other people at the hearing, for example:
- your solicitor (you may need to represent yourself at the hearing if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor)
- a prison psychologist
- the victim (when they’re reading their victim statement)
- the victim liaison officer
- witnesses
What happens next
The Parole Board will write to you with their decision. The hearing and full decision will be kept private.
You may be able to challenge the decision.