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How a prisoner is released - including Parole Board hearings, resettlement schemes and temporary release on licence

• When someone can leave prison

  When a prisoner is released depends on: the length of their sentence their…

• Temporary release from prison

  A prisoner may be allowed to leave prison for short periods towards the…

• Before someone leaves prison

  All prisoners get help preparing for life when they leave prison. In the…

• Support when someone leaves prison

  A person leaving prison may get the following financial support: Universal…

The Parole Board is an independent body that carries out risk assessments on prisoners to determine whether they can be safely released into the community. Parole Board is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored…

• Updated: 23 July 2025

How to apply to become a Parole Board member

• Updated: 3 January 2019

Parole Board Member Recruitment

• Updated: 21 January 2021

You will find attached the decision following the application for the parole hearing of Glyn Razzell to allow the public to observe the hearing.

• Updated: 29 August 2025

Who can get parole for determinate and indeterminate sentences, represent yourself at a hearing and challenge a Parole Board decision

A guide to what Licence Conditions are, which conditions Parole Board members can use in their decisions, and how conditions can be varied

• Updated: 20 March 2019

You will find attached the decision following the application for the parole hearing of Jon Venables to allow the public to observe the hearing.

• Updated: 25 October 2023

You will find attached the decision following the application for the parole hearing of Stewart Diamond to allow the public to observe the hearing.

• Updated: 19 December 2025

Due to exceptional levels of public interest the Parole Board is publishing a redacted decision in the case of Colin Pitchfork

• Updated: 13 November 2025