Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what processes they use to review the performance of Parole Board psychologists; what actions they take to follow up instances of poor decision-making, judgment or performance; and whether they intend to conduct a study to assess the appropriateness of recommendations by Parole Board psychologists that sex offenders should be released in the light of whether those offenders subsequently re-offend.

All members of the Parole Board, including psychologist members, are subject to quality assurance processes. Members are assessed as part of their accreditation to make decisions and there is on-going, routine quality assurance thereafter.

Cases where there has been a serious further offence within three years of a Parole Board decision to release are reviewed by the Board’s Review Committee and any learning that is identified is used to inform future policy, guidance and training.

The Parole Board also has a Standards Committee that focuses on developing and promoting high standards of practice across the whole of the Board.