Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an upper age limit?

No.

2. Are Magistrates allowed to apply?

Yes. You should apply as an Independent Member unless you qualify for one of the specialist roles.

3. Is this a fixed term appointment?

Yes. The appointments are for 3 years initially with a further 3 years re-appointment.

4. Can I apply if I have worked in the Criminal Justice System?

Yes. However if you are currently an employee of the Home Office (including Prison Service) you would need to resign from your post should you be successful and wish to become a member.

5. Are the fees set?

Yes. The work is fee based, please click here for details.

6. Does the Parole Board cover Scotland?

No. This particular Parole Board covers England and Wales only. Scotland has a separate Parole Board.

7. Do I need to use a computer?

Yes. Parole Board members will need to access information from an email system and from the internet. Communication tends to be via the computer and reports may have to be written and circulated in this way.

8. Do I have to be a UK national to apply for these roles?

Yes. You should be resident in the UK for three years preceding the application for Parole Board member.

9. What do you mean by Judicial Member?

You would need to be a Circuit Judge or a retired Circuit Judge in order to qualify as a Judicial Member. You should have authorisation for murder, attempted murder, rape cases or have significant Mental Health Review Tribunal experience. You will also need to discuss your application with your Presiding Judge before applying.

10. Are the training dates flexible?

The training dates have been scheduled and are not flexible.

11. What if I am not sure if I have a conflict of interest?

We advise you to write down any potential conflict of interest, and we will discuss these with you if your application is progressed.

12. How much travel is involved?

Much of the work is background, including reading reports and drafting preparatory notes, which can be undertaken at home during the evening and at weekends.

Members undertaking paper panels will need to travel to London two or three times per month.

Oral hearings require a certain amount of travel mainly, but not exclusively, within a members regional area.

Over and above the time commitments to undertake panel work, there is an expectation that members will attend other Parole Board meetings including the Annual Conference, the Annual Lecture and Regional Development Days, for which a non-casework day fee is paid.

The Parole Board for England and Wales

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

Telephone 0845 251 2220