The UK currently has 246 members to make decisions about individuals serving sentences.
According to GOV.UK, the Parole Board UK was established under the Criminal Justice Act 1967. It became an independent body almost three decades later under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
The responsibility of selecting the board members for the Parole Board UK falls on the Secretary of State. But, these members must make decisions independently.
What Does the Parole Board UK Do?
In the UK, the Parole Board decides if prisoners are ready for release. This involves assessing their progress in rehabilitation. It’s to ensure they don’t threaten public safety.
According to Professor Nick Hardwick from the Royal Holloway University of London,
“All parole decisions are fraught with difficulty. They are making a judgement about future risk; not a finding of fact about past events.”
Parole boards recommend prisoner transfers to open facilities based on sentences and conduct.
Decision-making For Indeterminate Sentences
The Board considers three factors when deciding parole for life-sentenced prisoners:
- The nature of the crime
- The prisoner’s conduct
- The risk to public safety
They decide if it’s safe to release a prisoner after they serve their minimum term. They also decide whether to recall them if they break parole.
Decision-making For Determinate Sentences
For prisoners with fixed-term sentences, the Board still plays a key role.
The board focuses on the prisoner’s enthusiasm in rehabilitation, conduct, and threat to public safety. This includes those with long prison terms. It also includes those recalled after an initial release.
How Forensic Psychologists Come into Play
Forensic experts are crucial in assessing prisoners’ mental health and behaviour. They conduct risk assessments and provide data to the Parole Board UK.
Their work includes:
- Assessing Conditions: Studying factors affecting prisoners.
- Analysing Prison Dynamics: Understanding bullying and its effects.
- Profiling Offenders: Using data to understand criminal behaviour.
- Supporting Prison Staff: Helping with stress management and crises.
- Conducting Therapy: Using CBT and mindfulness to address mental health issues.
Psychological Assessment for the Forensic Parole Board UK
Forensic psychologists assess psychological risk. They find whether prisoners have greatly improved and pose little risk of harm. In such a case, a prisoner’s chances of jail sentence reduction or being released on parole increases.
However, they can’t ensure that every prisoner who sees a forensic expert won’t commit another crime after they are released.
But, offenders have a better chance of starting over. They can lead a crime-free life when they are assessed.
Risk Assessments
Following are the risk assessments conducted by psychologists to inform parole decisions.
RSVP: Sexual Offending Risk
SARAv3: Intimate Partner Violence Risk
VERA-2R: Terrorism/Extremist Violence Risk
HCR-20v3: General Violence Risk
The assessments help determine if a prisoner is safe to release. They also show if they’ve rehabilitated enough.
Psychometric and Clinical Assessments
Psychologists perform extra assessments for prisoners with disorders. The assessments aid in parole decisions. They include:
Autism Screening: ADOS-2, ADI-R
ADHD Screening: DIVA, ACE+
Personality Disorders: SCID-5-PD, MCMI-IV
Learning Disabilities: WAIS-IV, ABAS-3
These assessments ensure the Board has a comprehensive understanding of the prisoner’s condition.
Communicating Findings
Forensic psychologists in the UK are expert witnesses for the parole board. They must do in-depth research and analyse criminal behaviours, psychological risks, and progress areas. They are also responsible for communicating all this information to all the stakeholders in the parole case.
Forensic experts must clearly communicate their findings to the Parole Board UK. They do this through expert reports. These reports need to be clear, concise, and legally compliant to effectively inform parole decisions.
Final Thoughts
Forensic psychologists provide crucial assessments and testimony for Parole Board UK. Their work helps ensure that parole decisions are informed and fair. They balance rehab and safety.
If you need advice on a forensic assessment for a parole case, contact our expert panel at Concise Medico. We’re here to help you through the process and achieve justice.
