Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prisoners Released on Licence and Victims’ Families

Tuesday 14 September 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Liz Saville-Roberts asked about the effectiveness of the Parole Board's communications with victims' families regarding release on licence decisions.
  • The response indicated that victim liaison officers from the probation service, not the Parole Board, notify victims of parole reviews.
  • Liz Saville-Roberts raised a specific case involving her constituent's sister, Rachel McGrath, murdered by Nicholas Burton in 1997.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Justice & Courts
Context

The effectiveness of the Parole Board's communications with victims' families when deciding whether offenders sentenced to life imprisonment should be released on licence.

Question

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Parole Board's communications with victims' families when deciding whether offenders sentenced to life imprisonment should be released on licence?

Answer from Robert Buckland

It is for the probation service, through its victim liaison officers, rather than the Parole Board to notify victims of upcoming parole reviews and to ensure that they are able to exercise their statutory rights to make a victim personal statement or request licence conditions. It is understandably distressing when victims are told of an offender's release, and we are therefore investing heavily in the probation service and its designated professional staff to give them further support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment requested was not provided; instead, the response detailed the role of the probation service in communicating with victims.

How: Redirected Answer

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Q2 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

A constituent, Michael McGrath, is seeking justice for his family after his sister Rachel was murdered by Nicholas Burton in 1997. The trial judge described Burton as merciless and manipulative, yet the family has recently been informed that Burton will be released next year.

Question

My constituent Michael McGrath is battling for justice for his family. His sister Rachel McGrath was murdered in a brutal stranger attack by Nicholas Burton in 1997. The trial judge described Burton as merciless and manipulative, and stated that no Home Secretary—as the arrangement was at the time—would ever be likely to allow his release. Rachel's elderly parents were recently told that Burton would walk free next year. They have not even been able to make a victim statement, and they believe that correct procedure has not been followed. Will the Secretary of State please agree to a ministerial meeting with the family to help to ensure that they have all the information they need, and that their voice is heard and respected?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I thank the right hon. Lady for raising that extremely sensitive, distressing and frankly appalling case. Yes, of course I would be delighted to meet the family. May I also make a general point? We—and, in fairness, I think that this applies across all parties—are very keen for victims to be not spectators but participants in these matters, so their voice shall be heard, and we will continue to do everything possible to strengthen that voice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While the Secretary of State agreed to a meeting, he did not provide specifics on how or when this would occur or address procedural concerns raised by the constituent's family.

How: Redirected Answer

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