The Parole Board. Working with others to protect the public.
About the Parole Board
The best way for you to really get a feel for what the Parole Board does is to witness it for yourself. Listen to members of the Parole Board talking about their work, their lives and their backgrounds:
Heather Staff: Hi there, I'm Heather Staff, Research Director at Penna. Penna has been appointed by the Home Office to undertake this year's recruitment drive for the Parole Board. It's been an interesting project for us - especially for me on the research side.
We wanted a better understanding of what the commitment means to members, why they do this, what the ups and downs are, really the reasons why people feel so compelled by this work. So I spoke to several Parole Board members. We're going to share with you some of what they had to say in their interviews. We didn't want to take up too much of their time, so quotes from their interviews are being read out by actors but these a true and real reflections from all the members we spoke to.
Here's what they said about their reasons for joining.
Male1: I joined the Parole Board after 32 years in the Police Service. I had space in my life and time on my hands and I feel my experience has allowed me to give something back. It's replaced a busy working life - it's flexible though, so I can do as little or as much as I want.
Female1: I had an interest in the area even though I hadn't worked in it before and felt I could contribute, transfer my skills and get stretched by it.
Male4: I do civil law in private practice and I find it interesting to have a balance in life. I'm a relatively young professional and I wanted exposure to people I wouldn't necessarily work with. I applied because I wanted to do something different - now I wear my litigation hat for three days a week and the other time is spent wearing my Parole Board hat.
Male7: I had a first career as a psychologist in the public sector followed by a second career in central government. My background, combined with an interest in the Prison Service made the Parole Board appealing. When I retired I saw it as an opportunity to use my skills and put something back in to society.
Female3: I had a long history of working in Public Service as a school governor, in NHS and in the community but I hadn't done anything within the Criminal Justice system. I felt compelled to apply.
Female4: I was in marketing and consultancy before having my daughter. The wording of the ad encouraged me to give it a go. I liked the notion of Public Service wrapped up with job flexibility.
Heather Staff: The recruitment process is very in depth and candidates' skills are weighed up very carefully. Here is what some Parole Board members had to say about their experience:
Female1: Initially I thought the application form looked complicated but it did prove a good test of the time you were going to have to give over to the role.
Female2: The assessment centres are based on what Parole Board does and the exercises and discussions mirror it well.
Female3: The recruitment process was arguably the most thorough process I have ever been put through. Even if I hadn't made it I would have felt good about just getting through it.
Female6: Once you reach the end of the process you do feel like you know what you have taken on.
Heather Staff: There are many people on the Parole Board who have been there for a number of years. So why do they continue to serve?
Female1: Everyone from juniors to the CEO has been open and warm. I find the work incredibly interesting but demanding at the same time.
Male3: Most of all, it's about the feeling of making a real contribution to public life.
Male4: At the moment, it all fits in with my young family. It actually helps my work life balance and it's relevant, interesting work.
Male6: It's interesting work - it's a deeper challenge than I expected.
Female3: It's completely fascinating. I've learned so much. Every bundle of paper represents a whole new set of challenges as well as the future of a human being.
Heather Staff: The Parole Board provides a great deal of support following the initial training. Through the mentoring scheme, new members are able to pick the brains of more experienced members, if you like, they get to sit with someone who's done it for a while and receive guidance from them. Here is what members say about that.
Male2: I have a very experienced mentor who has set me on the right track. It's been really reassuring to have a mentor to help with my preparation and to look at the reasons for my decisions.
Male4: My mentor is another lawyer - this helps because we look at things similarly. My mentor puts in the time but leaves me to ask questions.
Female2: The mentoring scheme is a really good idea for people with limited experience.
Male5: The scheme is very good. I got on well with my mentor and sat with him several times. He was supportive, helpful and available.
Female3: The theoretical training is fine and dandy but a six-inch high bundle of paper can be daunting. It's good to have someone you can talk to who makes you feel like no question is too stupid.
Female4: I'm loving the mentor scheme. My mentor tells it like it is. I couldn't have better support. It's invaluable support for those without experience.
Heather Staff: Beyond their mentors, Parole Board members also have the pleasure of working with very qualified and professional colleagues.
Male1: I haven't met anyone I didn't enjoy working with or get something from.
Female4: So far, I haven't had a duff experience with anyone I've had to work with.
Heather Staff: Of course there are challenges with this work, sometimes things you don't expect. We asked our interviewees to be very honest about what they feel are some of the pitfalls, and here is what they said.
Female1: The sheer weight of the paperwork is immense, but I feel I've got into a rhythm with it that's manageable. You simply cannot imagine what 24 cases per panel actually looks like!
Male5: The work is very time consuming. For me, it means working evenings and weekends and having to be careful about balance and time management.
Male7: The pay isn't great but you don't do it for the money.
Female3: There is a scary moment when you feel the sheer weight of responsibility at a time when the understanding of the nature of risk is worse than it's ever been. Balance is key.
Heather Staff: Finally, we asked everyone we chatted with, if they could give us one clear message for people considering working on the Parole Board, what would it be?
Male1: Recognise the fact that the first three months will be difficult. Be aware of the steep learning curves and act like a sponge. There's massive experience within the Board for you to watch, listen and learn from.
Male2: Don't be daunted by it. The Parole Board needs more ordinary people as well as specialists - and more ethnic diversity. The competency based approach will mean that you will have a right to be there if you make it through.
Female1: Go for it, but be prepared to take responsibility.
Male4: Ask to speak to a couple of members, like I did. I spoke to a long-standing member and also a more recent one and I found it really helpful. It enabled me to be armed with knowledge through the process.
Male6: Don't underestimate how long it takes. You have to go through the dossiers carefully. Attention to detail is critical.
Female3: It's a riveting job and quite a fabulous thing to do, so have a go and put yourself forward if you think you have the competencies and the interest.
Heather Staff: There you have it, reflections and real quotes from the members themselves. A very challenging and responsible position to take - but a very rewarding role. To find out more, please browse our website further where you'll find much more detailed information about what we do and how to apply. Thanks for listening - and if you do choose to apply, good luck.
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