Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent progress has been made on reviewing the parole system.

As announced in October 2020, a Root and Branch Review of the parole system is currently underway. This review will draw together the reforms and changes that have taken place in the parole system in recent years. It is focusing on issues such as the future constitution of the Parole Board, ways in which to improve the overall transparency of the parole system, the possibility of public parole hearings in some cases and allowing for victims to observe hearings if they wish. This will fulfil our manifesto commitments made before the last general election.

The full terms of reference of the Review can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parole-system-reform/terms-of-reference

I intend to report on the progress of the Root and Branch Review later this year.