Eligibility 

When someone is serving a custodial sentence and sufficient time has been served they will be eligible to apply for early release via Parole .

When this arises depends upon the sentence being served :

Life Sentence – Parole is available once the Tariff has expired

Indeterminate Sentences – Parole is available once the Tariff has expired

Fixed Sentences – Parole is available at the Parole Eligibility date upto the Conditional Release Date when the Prisoner must be released

The Parole Process 

The Parole window will open some months before eligibility and a Dossier will be created with various reports on the applicant including internal and external probation officers where appropriate .

You will be given an opportunity to comment on the Reports

Once complete the Parole Dossier will be sent to the Parole Board and member of the Board will consider the Dossier and make a decision or give directions .

The need for representation 

We recommend that you are represented in the process as representation can make a real difference to outcomes . In addition your dossier may contain complex reports including psychological evidence which requires particular experience and expertise in presenting your best representations for release or progress .

The MCA Process 

Once representations are submitted you will get a decision from the Parole Board . the options are :

• Release – The Board may be satisfied that release is justified on the Dossier and in accordance with the proposed  risk management plan
• Refusal – The Board may decide that the applicant should not be released on the basis that the risk is not manageable in the community . In this scenario the applicant can appeal against the refusal to seek an oral hearing within 28 days of decision
• Adjourn on Directions – The Board may decide it needs more information or reports before it can make a decision . Directions will be given and then it will reconvene on paper when it has the information to make the decision .
• Oral Hearing – The Board may conclude that it needs to hear evidence from witnesses before making a decision . In this scenario it will fix an oral hearing when the witnesses attend before the Parole Board for a hearing so a decision can be made .

Funding Arrangements

Legal Aid is available to cover both written representations to the Parole Board and any fixed oral hearing . Most prisoners use legal aid but if you do not qualify then we can undertake your case on agreed private fees