Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have used to conclude that there is increased public concern about the operation of the parole system in their Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March; and what wording they intend should replace the current release test, following their proposal in that review.

Public concern surrounding the operation of the Parole system has been evidenced by reactions to a number of decisions by the Parole Board in recent years – including the decision in 2021 to release Colin Pitchfork and his subsequent recall to prison shortly afterwards – and these decisions have damaged confidence in the Parole system. The government considers that, where very serious and high-risk offenders are being assessed for release, it is necessary to introduce further scrutiny and safeguards in the decision-making process to make sure that such prisoners are not released if they continue to present a threat to the public.

With regard to the statutory release test, our intention is not to replace the current test, but instead to clarify what is meant by “necessary for the protection of the public”, with a greater emphasis on being satisfied that the public would not be put at risk. In addition, a list of criteria the Board is required to take into account will be included in the release test; that proposed list was set out in the Root and Branch Review.

The Root and Branch Review is attached.