Parole Board Rules Part 3

Proceedings without a hearing

Consideration by single member panel

11. (1)  Within 14 weeks of the case being listed, a single member panel shall consider the prisoners case without a hearing.

11. (2) The single member panel must either

(a) decide that the case should be considered by a three member oral panel, or

(b) make a provisional decision as to the prisoners suitability for release.

11. (3)  The decision of the single member panel shall be recorded in writing with reasons, and shall be provided to the parties within a week of the date of the decision.

Provisional decision against release

12. (1)  In any case where the single member panel has made a provisional decision under rule 11(2)(b) that the prisoner is unsuitable for release, the prisoner may require a three member oral panel to give consideration to his case with a hearing.

12. (2)  Where the prisoner does so require consideration of his case with a hearing, he must serve notice to that effect on the Board and the Secretary of State within 19 weeks of the case being listed.

12. (3)  If no notice has been served in accordance with paragraph (2) after the expiry of the period permitted by that paragraph, the provisional decision shall become final and shall be provided to the parties within 20 weeks of the case being listed.

Provisional decision in favour of release: consideration by three member paper panel

13. (1)  In any case where the single member panel has made a provisional decision under rule 11(2)(b) that the prisoner is suitable for release, consideration of his case must be made by a three member paper panel within 17 weeks of the case being listed.

13.(2) The three member paper panel must either

(a) decide that the case should be considered by a three member oral panel, or

(b) uphold the provisional decision of the single member panel that the prisoner is suitable for release.

13. (3) The decision by the three member paper panel shall be recorded in writing with reasons, and shall be provided to the parties within a week of the date of the decision.

13. (4)In any case to which paragraph (2)(b) applies, the Secretary of State may require a three member oral panel to give consideration to the prisoners case with a hearing.

13. (5)Where the Secretary of State does so require consideration of the case with a hearing, he must serve notice to that effect on the Board and the prisoner within 22 weeks of the case being listed.

13.(6) If no notice has been served in accordance with paragraph (5) after the expiry of the period permitted by that paragraph, the provisional decision shall become final and shall be provided to the parties within 23 weeks of the case being listed. 

The Parole Board for England and Wales

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

Telephone 0845 251 2220