Voices in Justice: Parole Reform in Scotland

The consultation questions are included here for your reference. Please click 'Begin consultation' at the bottom of this page to proceed.

Question 1. Would you support the introduction of a definition that clearly states the purpose of parole in Scotland?  

Question 2. If the purpose of parole were to be defined in Scotland, what do you feel the defined purpose should include?

Question 3. Should the Parole Board publish full versions of its decision minutes, including detail on the reasons for the decision and the evidence which was heard at the oral hearing, in release and non-release cases?

Question 4. To what extent do you feel that information published by the Parole Board (e.g. decisions, summaries, case examples) should be anonymised/redacted?

Question 5. Should the Parole Board publish more detailed information about how their decisions are reached (e.g. guidance, criteria, case studies)?

Question 6. Which format do you feel is the most appropriate for victims/survivors to receive initial information about parole eligibility of the person in the case?

Question 7. Are there any changes you would you like to see in how much information in parole cases is shared with victims?

Question 8. Should victims/survivors, who are registered under the VNS, have the automatic right to attend and observe oral hearings?

Question 9. Should all victims / survivors — regardless of the type of sentence the person in custody is serving — have the right to request to observe a parole board oral hearing if one is held?

Question 10. Who else, if anyone, do you think should have access to parole hearings?

Question 11. Should all victims — regardless of the type of sentence the person in custody is serving — have the right to give oral representations to the Parole Board for Scotland ahead of the Parole Board considering a case?

Question 12. What information do you feel is most important for victims to receive, in order to support their understanding of, and engagement with, the parole process?

Question 13. How could digital tools (e.g. videos, podcasts, online updates) be used to improve people’s understanding and experience of the parole process?

Question 14. Do you have any other suggestions for improving communication, transparency, or information sharing in the parole system?

Question 15. Do you support the introduction of a single over-arching, statutory test for release that would apply to all cases considered for release by the Parole Board?

Question 16. Regardless of whether a single test is introduced, or the current process is retained, should the test(s) for release from custody continue to focus solely on risk, or should they be amended to also consider a person’s readiness to reintegrate into the community?

Question 17. Do you have any other views on the assessment and decision-making process around release – for example, other aims that should be reflected, improvements that could be made, or changes in how risk is considered?

Question 18. In principle, do you support the idea of giving the Parole Board for Scotland the power to require post-release progress hearings, at which they can take action based on the person’s progress while in the community on parole?

Question 19. If progress hearings were introduced, what changes do you think the Parole Board should have the power to make, based on the person’s progress while in the community on parole? [select all that apply]

Question 20. If progress hearings were introduced, how long after someone is released on parole should the Board have the power to call a progress hearing for them?

Question 21. If progress hearings were introduced, how frequently should the Board have the power to call a progress hearing for someone on parole in the community?

Question 22. Should the law require that certain professions or expertise must always be represented on a Parole Board oral hearing panel?

Question 23. If specific professions or expertise were to be required at Parole Board oral hearings, which specific professions or expertise do you feel should be included?

Question 24. Do you believe that there should be any further changes to the current list of factors, set out above, which may be taken into consideration by the Parole Board when making a decision on a prisoner’s release?

Question 25. What are your views on exploring a means to develop a formal review and appeal process for parole decisions, and who could this apply to?

Question 26. Do you think that the current approach to licence conditions should be reviewed?

Question 27. Do you feel that the language used in licence conditions (see Annex C) is clear and accessible for all people who need to understand and follow them?

Question 28. Do you feel that licence conditions are currently well designed to maximise successful rehabilitation and reintegration?

Question 29. What changes, if any, would make licence conditions more supportive of rehabilitation and reintegration in your opinion?

Question 30. What are your views on the options currently available to the Parole Board when they consider a request for recall (warning letter, recall to custody or no action)?

Question 31. If the Board were to have more options for responding to a potential licence breach or request for recall, what should these be in your opinion?   

Question 32. Do you support enabling the Parole Board for Scotland to set a progress hearing as an additional option in cases where the Board are deciding on recall?

Question 33. If recall decisions were to be based on a wider range of factors, which specific issues should be taken into account?

Question 34. If any, what other suggestions do you have for improving the recall process in Scotland?

Question 35. Do you feel that re-release process is effective at supporting the initial decision to recall?

Question 36. Do you believe there should be a firm timeframe set out for re-release hearings?

Question 37. If any, what other suggestions do you have on the format and timings of the Parole Board’s re-release hearings?

Question 38. If you have been connected to a case (or cases) where a parole hearing was deferred, do you know what was the reason for deferral?

Question 39. Are there any changes you believe could be made to improve efficiencies and minimise deferral of Parole Board hearings?

Question 40. Which of the following best represents your view on this timescale? 

Question 41. Which of the following best represents your view on this timescale? 

Question 42. If someone is denied parole, what factors do you think should be considered in determining how long it should be before that person comes before the Parole Board again?

Question 43. What category best describes your situation – please tick all that apply: