Victims of crime will now have the right to attend parole hearings across England and Wales as part of a national rollout aimed at boosting confidence in the justice system. The reform, which comes into force on Tuesday, follows a successful pilot scheme in the South West and Greater Manchester, where victims reported feeling reassured by seeing offenders held to account before decisions on their release were made.
Victims granted access to private hearings
Under the new measures, victims will be able to apply to attend private parole hearings, where panels assess whether a prisoner should be released or remain in custody. However, not all aspects of the hearing will be open to them, as certain evidence—such as risk management strategies—must still be heard in private.
During parole hearings, the Parole Board considers evidence on an offender’s behaviour in prison, rehabilitation efforts, and risk to the public. Victims attending these sessions will gain insight into how offenders are challenged before a final decision is made regarding their potential release under licence conditions.
A victim known as Anna, who took part in the pilot scheme, described the experience as empowering. She said:
“Witnessing the care taken by the panel gave me genuine confidence in how the perpetrator would be managed once released from custody.”
She added that attending the hearing helped her move on, stating:
“It helped us draw a line under the whole chapter and move on.”
‘Vital’ move to improve transparency in the justice system
The Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, hailed the scheme as a vital step towards lifting the lid on what has long been perceived as a closed-off system. She said:
“This is a vital step towards lifting the lid on a system that has long felt closed off to victims, helping them feel more meaningfully involved rather than bystanders to proceedings.”
This reform is part of wider efforts to improve victims’ rights and increase transparency within the parole process, ensuring they feel more involved in decisions that directly affect their lives.
Government pledges more victim-focused reforms
The move comes as part of the Government’s broader plan to reform the justice system, ensuring that victims have a greater voice in decisions about offender release. Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones stressed the significance of these changes, saying:
“For too long, victims have been locked out of the parole system. As part of our plan for change, we are now giving victims the right to see how offenders are challenged when up for parole. This Government is improving our justice system to ensure it serves victims better.”
Further reforms are expected later this year, granting ministers more power over the release of the most serious offenders. Under these proposals, certain cases could be referred to the High Court for a second review, adding another layer of scrutiny to high-risk parole decisions.
Parole board welcomes increased transparency
The Parole Board, which is responsible for determining whether prisoners can be safely released into the community, has welcomed the changes. Chief Executive Officer Cecilia French emphasised the importance of improving transparency while ensuring fair and effective decision-making. She said:
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“I understand just how important access to information is to victims and survivors. This is a crucial step towards achieving this and will play a part in our wider objective of achieving greater transparency of parole, while ensuring the process remains fair and effective.”
The Parole Board assesses each case individually, considering factors such as:
- Offender behaviour in custody
- Steps taken towards rehabilitation
- The risk posed to the public
- Potential licence conditions if released, such as curfews and movement restrictions
A long-awaited step forward for victims’ rights
The national expansion of this initiative marks a significant shift in victims’ rights in England and Wales. The opportunity to attend hearings will allow them to witness the decision-making process first-hand, potentially providing a sense of closure and assurance that justice is being served.
While victims will not be allowed to observe every aspect of the hearing, this new level of access represents an important milestone in making the justice system more transparent, victim-centred, and accountable.
As the Government continues to implement further victim-focused reforms, the impact of these changes will be closely monitored to ensure they provide the intended benefits for those most affected by crime.
