Guidance

Review of the Parole Board Rules and Reconsideration Mechanism

The findings of the review of the Parole Board Rules set out how we will deliver a more effective and transparent parole system.

Documents

Details

In March 2018, the Secretary of State announced a comprehensive review of the Parole Board Rules – the secondary legislation governing the operation of the Parole Board.

This publication reports on the findings of that review. It sets out all the measures that have been taken and proposals for further reforms to improve the transparency and effectiveness of the parole system.

Commitments from the review include:

  • A new reconsideration mechanism so if there is a seriously flawed release decision by the Parole Board it can be looked at again without the need for judicial review.
  • The Parole Board will publish clear procedures and standard practice to support quality and consistency in decision making.
  • Further improvements to engagement with victims and the commitments in the Victims Strategy will be delivered.
  • A new operational protocol between the Parole Board and Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) will clarify roles and responsibilities within the parole system.
  • A new policy framework, published by HMPPS, will implement improvements to timescales which the review found could make the process more efficient.
  • A new Rules Committee will keep the Rules under review and enable quicker future changes if needed.
Published 4 February 2019
Last updated 4 March 2019 + show all updates
  1. Welsh translation published.

  2. First published.