NCJ Number
58346
Journal
University of Toledo Law Review Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1979) Pages: 465-492
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF THE PAROLE SYSTEM IN ENGLAND AND WALES SHOWS THAT IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND IS LIKELY TO BE RETAINED, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE FURTHER STRENGTHED AND EXTENDED.
Abstract
THIS SYSTEM, ESTABLISHED IN 1969, OPERATES WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF FIXED OR DETERMINATE SENTENCES. PAROLE APPLIES TO ALL OFFENDERS, YOUNG OR OLD, WHO ARE SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 18 MONTHS, AFTER SERVING 12 MONTHS OR ONE-THIRD OF THEIR SENTENCES. THE PAROLE BOARD IS MADE OF ABOUT 40 PEOPLE, INCLUDING JUDGES, PSYCHIATRISTS, PROBATION OFFICERS, CRIMINOLOGISTS, AND LAY PEOPLE. CASES REACH PAROLE PANELS BY A SOMEWHAT PROTRACTED ROUTE, HOWEVER EFFORTS ARE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE PANELS RECEIVE THE CASE 3 OR 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE INMATE IS ELIGIBLE. CASES ARE FIRST HEARD BY LOCAL REVIEW COMMITTEES WHICH PASS THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ON TO THE HOME OFFICE. BOTH THE COMMITTEES AND THE BOARD CAN DECIDE WHETHER PAROLE SHOULD BE REVOKED. EVEN THOUGH THE SYSTEM HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL, A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN. THE FACT THAT PAROLEES HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN POSTRELEASE PROGRAMS HAS RAISED SOME OBJECTIONS AND THE DEGREE OF PAROLEE SUPERVISION IS LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE SUPERVISING OFFICER. ALSO, SOME PRISONERS ARE RELEASED ON PAROLE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT EARNED IT ON THE JUSTIFICATION THAT PAROLE OFFERS A BETTER CHANCE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALTHOUGH INMATES SHOULD NOT BE TOLD WHY THEIR PAROLE HAS BEEN DENIED, THEY SHOULD BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE PAROLE PROCESS, AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR PAROLEES BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. FOOTNOTES AND A STATISTICAL TABLE OF 1977 PAROLE BOARD OPERATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)