Guidance

Handling Sensitive Information Policy Framework

Rules and guidance on how HMPPS staff and third parties should handle and manage sensitive information related to a prisoner’s upcoming parole review.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Details

This policy framework sets out the mandatory requirements and guidance for all HMPPS staff involved in handling sensitive information for parole eligible and recalled prisoners’ Parole Board reviews. The framework provides clear requirements and guidance for staff to enable the correct handling of sensitive information to ensure that the Parole Board is provided with all relevant risk-related information, even where the material is too sensitive to disclose to the prisoner. This is vital to the parole and recall processes.

The framework provides requirements for the process of applying to the Parole Board for victim personal statements (VPS) to be withheld from the prisoner, if requested by the victim, allowing victims and/or the victim’s family to provide information to the Parole Board without having to reveal personal information to the offender. Getting this process right is of the utmost importance to ensure transparency, provide the Parole Board with relevant risk information, while maintaining information security and allowing victims to provide their views to the Parole Board.

Published 1 November 2021
Last updated 11 August 2022 + show all updates
  1. Framework updated.

  2. Updated the Handling Sensitive Information Policy Framework docmument

  3. First published.