Parole Board responds to Home Office proposals for rebalancing the criminal justice system

22/09/2006

The Parole Board today published its response to the wide ranging review of the criminal justice system announced by the Home Secretary on 20 July 2006. The review entitled "Rebalancing the criminal justice system" is part of the "Transforming the Home Office" initiative announced by the Home Secretary in July.

The Parole Board response covers the following proposals:

• The need to put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.
• The intention that members of parole panels should have a strong victim perspective.
• The introduction of a Victims Voice in the most serious cases.
• The review of information needed by parole panels.
• The intention to make some or all parole panels decisions unanimous.
• Clarification of the position on human rights.
• The need to make sentencing clearer and easier to understand.
• The introduction of sanctions where the defence fails to follow court orders.
• The more effective use of joined up technology.

Parole Board Chief Executive, Christine Glenn, said:

"The Parole Board is pleased to respond to the above paper. The Board is resolute in its primary focus on public safety and public protection and is committed to improving public confidence in its role here within the Criminal Justice system. We strive for continuous improvement in quality and standards and have set in place a demanding change agenda which we believe contributes to the aspirations and priorities set out in the paper.

The overriding purpose of the Board is to prevent there being future victims and it is right that proper consideration be given as to how we can contribute to improvements here both as an individual agency and as part of the wider Criminal Justice system."

Notes to Editors

The Parole Board is the independent body that protects the public by making risk assessments about prisoners to decide who may safely be released into the community and who must remain in or be returned to custody. The Parole Board was established under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 to advise the Home Secretary on the early release of prisoners. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 established the Board as an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body.
 
The Parole Board's aims and objectives are linked closely with those of the Home Office in seeking to reduce re-offending and in protecting the public.  The Board works closely with the Home Office, the Probation Service and the Prison Service, voluntary organisations, the legal profession and others involved in the criminal justice system.

For further information please call Tim Morris, Head of Communications for the Parole Board, on 020-7217 0564 during office hours, or on 07725-927954 out of hours, look on the Parole Board website at www.paroleboard.gov.uk , or e-mail tim.morris5@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

ENDS

The Parole Board for England and Wales

Grenadier House, 99-105 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2DX

Telephone 0845 251 2220