The Parole Board. Working with others to protect the public.
Victims and families
Your Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) will advise you of the Parole Boards decision. If the offender is going to be released you will be told about any licence conditions which affect you or your family. If the Parole Board decides to adopt different licence conditions to the ones you proposed, you will be advised of the Parole Boards reasons by your VLO. The Parole Board cannot discuss with you its decisions and the reasons for them. If the Parole Board has not accepted your views about the proposed licence conditions relating to you or your family, then it will give you an explanation for its decision.
You might be asked to attend an oral hearing as a witness or you might wish to apply to attend the hearing to present your Victims Personal Statement (VPS) and give evidence as a witness. Before you apply you should discuss this with your Victim Liaison Officer (VLO). If you decide to pursue your application your VLO must submit it to the Ministry of Justice.
You may only attend part of the hearing to give your evidence unless the panel chair says you can stay. You will be asked to leave before any other evidence is presented to the Panel. Usually, the offender will be present throughout the hearing.
Prisons may be able to admit your Victim Liason Officer or a friend or family member to support you on the day of the hearing. They may be asked to wait for you outside the room where the hearing is being held or you may apply to the Parole Board for permission for them to observe the hearing.
You should take a copy of your Victim Personal Statement (VPS) and any other documents with you to the hearing. You should report to the prison reception and state that you are there to attend a Parole Board hearing. You will be asked to produce some form of photo-identification. You will be asked to leave personal items including mobile phones bags and wallets at the prison reception. You may also be asked to undergo searching and have your possessions screened with x- ray equipment, scanners and sniffer dogs before being admitted.
After your identity has been checked and you have gone through security screening, you will be collected from the reception area and escorted by prison staff to a waiting area until the Panel is ready to hear your evidence. You will then be shown into the room where the hearing is taking place. The Secretary of States representative will ask you questions in relation to your evidence and this will be followed by questions from the prisoners representative. Finally, members of the panel will also be able to put questions to you. After questions, you will be asked to leave the room and you will not be asked to wait until the hearing has ended. Prison staff will escort you back to the reception area to collect your personal items and bags.
You may request this via your Victim Liaison Officer or on some occasions the Board will ask you to give your evidence by video.
Grenadier House, 99-105 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2DX
Telephone 0845 251 2220