The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2018

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of these Rules)

These Rules substitute rule 25 of the Parole Board Rules 2016.

Rule 3 of these Rules replaces the blanket prohibition against disclosure of information about Parole Board proceedings in rule 25 of the Parole Board Rules 2016.

Rule 25(1) as inserted, provides an obligation for the Parole Board to produce summaries for victims of the reasons for a decision to release or refuse to release a prisoner, where the Secretary of State has indicated that a victim wishes to receive a summary. The obligation to provide a summary does not apply where the Board chair considers that there are exceptional circumstances why the disclosure should not take place. The definition of a ‘victim’ is set out in rule 25(6) as inserted.

Rule 25(2) as inserted, obliges the Board to disclose a summary of reasons to members of the public who are not classed as victims under rule 25(1) as inserted. The obligation to provide a summary does not apply where the Board chair considers that disclosure is not in the public interest.

Rule 25(3) as inserted gives the Board chair the discretion to disclose any other information about proceedings.

Rule 25(4) as inserted, prohibits the names of people involved in the proceedings (other than the parties) from being disclosed.

If any information is disclosed other than as prescribed by rule 25 as inserted or at the discretion of the Board chair, the party who suffers injury as a result can action a breach of a statutory duty under Rule 25(5), as inserted.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.