NCJ Number
56382
Date Published
1977
Length
28 pages
Annotation
PREPARED BY ENGLAND'S HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM, THIS BOOKLET IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SOME INFORMATION ON HOW A DECISION TO GRANT OR REFUSE PAROLE IS MADE.
Abstract
THE INFORMATION USED TO COMPILE THIS BOOKLET WAS TAKEN FROM THE 'ANNUAL REPORTS' OF ENGLAND'S PAROLE BOARD. THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, THE PROCEDURE FOR MAKING THE PAROLE DECISION, REVIEW OF CASES, AND THE BROAD PRINCIPLES DEVELOPED BY THE PAROLE BOARD FOR MAKING DECISIONS ARE MATTERS DISCUSSED. IT IS NOTED THAT IN AUGUST 1975, NEW DETAILED CRITERIA FOR THE GRANTING OF PAROLE WERE DEVELOPED. THE INTENTION BEHIND THESE CHANGES IS TO GRANT PAROLE TO MORE PRISONERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE BUT WHO DO NOT RECEIVE IT, AND TO GRANT PAROLE TO MORE PRISONERS AT AN EARLIER STAGE IN THEIR SENTENCES. A SUMMARY OF THESE NEW GUIDELINES IS INCLUDED IN THE APPENDIX. THE GUIDELINES PROVIDE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED SERIOUS CRIMES OF VIOLENCE OR MAJOR PROFESSIONAL CRIMES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR PAROLE ONLY WHEN THERE IS GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THEY WILL AVOID CRIME IN THE FUTURE, IMPLYING THE NEED FOR POSITIVE EVIDENCE OF CHANGE. IN ALL OTHER CASES, PAROLE SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED, UNLESS THERE IS POSITIVE EVIDENCE OF A CONTINUING ANTISOCIAL ATTITUDE AND AN INTENTION TO RETURN TO CRIME. THE BOOKLET DISCUSSES THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS THOSE THE PAROLE BOARD CONSIDERS IN THE PAROLE DECISIONS: (1) WHAT SORT OF PERSON HAS THE PRISONER BEEN IN THE PAST? (2) WHAT IS HIS CURRENT OFFENCE? (3) WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OFFENCE? (4) HOW HAS HE RESPONDED DURING HIS SENTENCE? (5) HOW HAS HE RESPONDED TO THE PRISON REGIME? (6) WHAT IS THE INMATE'S PHYSICAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION? (7) WHAT ARE HIS FUTURE PROSPECTS? (8) WHAT WILL BE HIS CIRCUMSTANCES ON RELEASE? (9) HOW IS HE LIKELY TO REACT TO SUPERVISION ON PAROLE? (10) WHAT IS PUBLIC OPINION LIKELY TO BE SHOULD THIS INMATE BE RELEASED? (11) WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THE SENTENCE? (12) WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE SENTENCE? AN INDEX IS PROVIDED, ALONG WITH A LIST OF HOWARD LEAGUE PUBLICATIONS. (RCB)