Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Parole System: Review

Tuesday 28 March 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Adam Afriyie inquired about progress on introducing ministerial oversight of parole board decisions for high-risk offenders.
  • Luke Evans raised concerns similar to those of Alberto Costa regarding the parole and reoffending of Colin Pitchfork.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the efforts of Luke Evans and Alberto Costa in advocating for parole reform.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Adam Afriyie Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from ongoing concerns about the release of high-risk offenders before completing their full sentences, prompting calls for more stringent ministerial oversight.

Question

What recent progress has been made on introducing ministerial oversight of parole board decisions to release high-risk offenders back into the community before the end of their sentence?

Answer from Dominic Raab

We will shortly be bringing forward legislation to implement key measures in the root-and-branch review to ensure that public protection is the sole criterion and focus for parole decision making.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify a timeline or concrete details about the ministerial oversight mechanism being proposed.

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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Justice & Courts
Context

The question stems from the case of Colin Pitchfork, a high-profile double child murderer who was released on parole and later rearrested for reoffending. The MP seeks clarity on how to balance raising legitimate public concerns without interfering politically.

Question

My concerns on this point come alongside those of my neighbour and hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Alberto Costa), about Colin Pitchfork, the double child murderer and rapist who was released on parole, reoffended and rearrested. I do not expect the Secretary of State to comment on that specific case, but how does he balance the need to avoid political interference with raising public legitimate concern?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank my hon. Friend, and my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Alberto Costa), who have campaigned tirelessly for parole reform. Our constituents and members of the public already think that we, as Ministers and as Members of this House, are responsible for the justice system. What most frustrates them is when we duck these issues, or if matters are delegated and we do not have any control. I can tell my hon. Friend that we will overhaul the criteria so that public protection is the exclusive focus of decision making. We are already recruiting more parole board members with law enforcement experience, because they have a different, more risk-averse approach to public protection. We will be introducing a ministerial check over the most serious offenders, including murderers, rapists, terrorist offenders and child killers.

Answered
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