Victims will be able to challenge decisions under measures announced by justice secretary

Victims of crime will be able to challenge Parole Board decisions for the first time under measures being introduced following the case of John Worboys, the black-cab rapist whose release from prison was overturned by the high court.

Among the proposals being unveiled on Saturday are a judge-led process that could in some instances be open to the public to force the board to reconsider a decision without victims having to resort to a judicial review. The move will be subject to the results of a consultation also launching on Saturday.

Initial legislation has been introduced to remove the blanket ban on transparency and allow the Parole Board to explain decisions to victims, media and the public, alongside expanding the victim contact scheme (VCS).

Q&A What is the Parole Board? Show Hide The Parole Board is an independent body that carries out risk assessments on prisoners to determine whether they can be safely released into the community. It manages the early release of prisoners serving fixed-length sentences of four years or more; the release of prisoners who are serving life sentences or indeterminate sentences for public protection; and the re-release of prisoners who have been given life or indeterminate sentences and were then re-imprisoned.

Some prisoners seeking release may have to attend a hearing before Parole Board members. Up to three members of a panel will decide whether to release the prisoner based on a file of documents including information on the inmate’s behaviour in prison, their plans once released and risk of committing further crimes. Medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence can also be heard. As well as the prisoner, a solicitor, psychologist and witnesses could attend. The victim of the prisoner’s offences may also be present. The Parole Board has 234 members who make the assessments and decisions and employs 120 members of staff to support them.

The justice secretary, David Gauke, announced that a rule had been amended to comply with the ruling of the judicial review of the Worboys case, in order to remove the ban that prevents the board from disclosing information about its decision-making.

It will also require board members to provide an overview of:

The arguments it heard in a case

The recommendations of expert witnesses

The offender’s progress and risk factors

The evidence provided by the offender

The reasons for the panel’s decision.



Gauke ordered the urgent review of Parole Board processes in January in an attempt to restore public confidence following the controversial decision to release serial sex attacker Worboys.

In March, the high court blocked the release of the former black-cab driver and ruled that the Parole Board “should have undertaken further inquiry into the circumstances of his offending” before taking the decision.

It led to the resignation of the board’s chair, Nick Hardwick, after Gauke told him his position was untenable.

Gauke said: “I am announcing a package of measures to reform the Parole Board and introduce transparency of its decisions. But we are going further and consulting on a new way to challenge Parole Board decisions that would be judge-led and could, in some circumstances, be open to the public. And we’re not stopping there.

The justice secretary said he was also unveiling “the terms of reference for our comprehensive review of the entire Parole Board, including whether we should in some circumstances name panel members, whether we should define the panel composition, and what kinds of further scrutiny measures should be introduced”.

He added: “We will also improve the process for victims, who in this case were clearly let down. It is my ambition that the outcome of this process will mean victims have more confidence in the system.

“We have moved at pace to address the shortcomings of the parole system, which the Worboys case has brought to light. But we must take a balanced approach. I am determined to lead a thorough reform process.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The reform was prompted following public outcry at the decision to release rapist John Worboys. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

The Ministry of Justice will also consider publishing summaries of the Parole Board’s decision making online and whether information about panel members and other details should be made public. As part of the changes, the VCS will be extended to victims of more types of offences and in cases where a serious charge lies on file but has not resulted in a conviction.

Other measures will include new training for victim liaison officers, improved cooperation with other agencies, and an easier route for victims to opt in to the scheme at later stages in the offender’s sentence.

The department will also explore the potential for victims being asked at the beginning to opt out if they do not want to be informed of updates in the case.