Following a review by the Howard League for Penal Reform, the Parole Board announced last week that all children being considered for parole will now be entitled to a hearing as soon as their case comes before the board. The Parole Board is an independent body that works with criminal justice agencies to assess the risk prisoners pose to the public and decide whether they can be safely released into the community.
Previously, the board only offered juveniles an oral hearing to consider their parole application if the paperwork in their case did not lead to a recommendation for release.
This prompted the Howard League to publish the Parole 4 Kids report earlier this month, which highlighted that the Parole Board remains one of the few areas of the criminal justice system without specific procedures for children. It said although only a small number of young people went through the parole process, guidance should be introduced to ensure they are aware of their right to legal representation and their right to apply for an oral hearing.
The report was published after a 15-year-old who was denied early release won a judicial review after it emerged he had not been given any help with his representation for parole.
Frances Crook, director of the Howard League, said she was delighted at the announcement. "Prior to this, the underlying adult emphasis of the parole process has meant that the needs of children have not always been met," she said. "The consequence of this was some children spent unnecessary time in custody, contravening our international obligations to detain children for the shortest period of time."
The Parole Board issued a statement saying it will be holding training for members during the next few months on dealing with juvenile cases and is also working with the Youth Justice Board on a parole leaflet for juveniles to go into all secure units and onto its website.
