Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Parole Board Consideration Mechanism

Tuesday 9 January 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The reconsideration mechanism introduced in July 2019 allows Ministers to intervene in Parole Board decisions if concerns arise about the decision to release being irrational or procedurally flawed.
  • Since 2019, the Government has used the reconsideration mechanism to retake 17 release decisions, with nine of those decisions being reversed by the Parole Board.
  • Reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill ensure public safety is prioritized in future Parole Board decisions, including by codifying the release test in law and introducing a power for the Secretary of State to direct a second check on the release of serious offenders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP has raised concerns about the effectiveness of a reconsideration mechanism introduced by the government in July 2019, which allows Ministers to intervene if there are concerns about irrational release decisions or procedural flaws.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Parole Board reconsideration mechanism. Since 2019, this Government have used the mechanism to have 17 release decisions retaken by the Parole Board. Nine of those resulted in the board reversing its original decision to direct release.

Answer from Alex Chalk

The reconsideration mechanism introduced in July 2019 is a vital tool for public protection, allowing Ministers to intervene where there is concern that the decision to release is irrational or procedurally flawed. Since its introduction, this Government have used it to retake 17 release decisions by the Parole Board and nine of those resulted in reversal.

Answered
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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raises concerns about the release of Edwin Hopkins, a schoolgirl killer. He asks if the new laws in the Victims and Prisoners Bill will prioritize public safety in future Parole Board decisions.

Question

Will he assure my constituents and residents in neighbouring Nuneaton that the new laws in the Victims and Prisoners Bill going through Parliament at the moment put public safety at the heart of future Parole Board decisions? The murder committed by Edwin Hopkins was a truly dreadful crime, and I understand the concern about the release of prisoners who have committed such heinous offences.

Answer from Alex Chalk

The reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill ensure that public safety is at the forefront of parole decisions, including by codifying the release test in law and introducing a new power to allow the Secretary of State to direct a second check on the release of some of the most serious offenders.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP has received numerous contacts from constituents concerned about individuals getting early parole and decisions made by the Parole Board. He asks for reassurance that victims will be considered and contacted before any person who committed an evil crime is released.

Question

Will he reassure me and the House that victims will be considered and contacted before any person who has carried out an evil crime is actually released? It is one thing being a victim of a crime in the first place but another not being kept updated on progress of the sentence of that individual, or indeed a parole decision.

Answer from Alex Chalk

We are absolutely committed through the victims code and other mechanisms to ensuring that victims are kept updated, including during the important parole process. It is crucial for victims to be informed about progress of sentences or parole decisions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to contacting victims before release decisions was not directly addressed.

How: Vague Language

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