What is parole, your rights and responsibilities
Parole – What You Need to Know
Parole is a conditional release system that allows certain prisoners to serve part of their sentence in the community under strict supervision. It is not automatic and must be approved by the Parole Board, which assesses whether the individual might pose a risk to the public. Parole can apply to people serving life sentences, indeterminate public protection (IPP) sentences, and extended determinate sentences. While it offers a structured route back into society, the process is complex, controversial, and deeply influenced by media and public opinion.
The Parole Board: How It Works
The Parole Board is an independent body that makes decisions on whether prisoners can be safely released. Central to its role is the application of the "protection of the public" test, which examines the likelihood of the individual committing further serious offences if released (Beard, 2023). The Board relies on a range of evidence, including reports from prison staff, psychologists, probation officers, and sometimes victims. Risk assessments are central to decision-making, and they reflect broader concerns about public safety.
As Cohen (1985) outlines in Visions of Social Control Institutions like the Parole Board are mechanisms of state control that manage not only the behaviour of offenders but also the public confidence in criminal justice. They serve to extend surveillance and regulation beyond the prison walls, reinforcing the idea that criminal justice does not end with incarceration; it simply continues by following the offender through parole.
Parole Controversy and Media Influence
Parole has increasingly become a site of political and public contestation. High-profile parole cases, particularly those involving violent or sexual offenders, often provoke strong reactions in the media and from the public. Media narratives frequently focus on victims' pain and perceived risks to society, sometimes distorting the actual risk posed by the individual. These reactions have, in some cases, prompted government reviews and legal reforms.
One notable example is the Ministry of Justice's "Root and Branch" review of the parole system, initiated following public outcry over controversial parole decisions. This review reflects a broader pattern described by Garland (2001), where criminal justice decisions are increasingly influenced by penal populism and political responsiveness to media-fuelled fear.
Garland's (2001) concept of the "crime complex" is particularly relevant. He describes a cultural climate where public anxiety about crime and the moral panic it generates can significantly shape penal policy. In such an environment, parole decisions become less about individual rehabilitation and more about managing collective fears. This leads to more cautious, risk-averse decisions that may delay or deny release even when rehabilitation goals have been met.
The involvement of victims and the Secretary of State in parole appeals is another development in this politicised aspect. While victim participation is vital for justice, its expansion into parole decision-making raises concerns about whether the process remains evidence-based and fair. Victims' rights must be balanced against the rights of prisoners and the integrity of parole as a rehabilitative mechanism.
Preparing for Parole
For individuals approaching parole, preparation is crucial. A successful application typically requires detailed documentation, including records of behaviour in custody, evidence of participation in rehabilitative programmes, and a structured release plan outlining housing, employment, and support services. Demonstrating insight into past behaviour and a commitment to change is essential.
Legal aid and advocacy play a key role in this process. A skilled solicitor can help gather relevant evidence, challenge inaccuracies, and represent the individual during hearings. The support of family, community organisations, and professionals can also influence the Board's decision by providing assurances of a stable release environment.
However, as Cohen (1985) argues, even these support structures operate within a larger framework of social control. The parolee is never fully free but is instead reabsorbed into a network of community-based monitoring. This "governing through freedom" approach means that although parole represents a step away from incarceration, it maintains a form of carceral supervision that continues to regulate the parolee's behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.
If Denied Parole
When parole is denied, the individual has several options. They may appeal the decision, particularly if there are procedural errors or new evidence. Alternatively, they can reapply at a later date, typically after one or two years. During this time, it is important to continue engaging in rehabilitative work, improving behaviour in custody, and building a stronger case for release.
Managing the psychological impact of a parole denial is also critical. Feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and anxiety are common. Support from mental health professionals, peer mentors, and family members can help individuals maintain focus and motivation during this challenging period.
In a broader sense, repeated parole denials even in cases of sustained improvement highlight systemic issues. Garland (2001) suggests that parole systems increasingly reflect a precautionary logic, where the potential for harm outweighs actual evidence of change. This mindset, amplified by public scrutiny, undermines the rehabilitative goals of parole and reinforces exclusion rather than reintegration.
Navigating Parole and Beyond
Understanding parole means recognising it as more than a legal procedure; it is a social and political process shaped by risk assessment, public pressure, and shifting penal philosophies. While it offers hope of release and rehabilitation, it is embedded in structures that reflect society's deeper anxieties about crime, control, and trust.
As individuals prepare for parole or respond to setbacks, they must do so with awareness of the broader forces at play. Legal support, behavioural change, and post-release planning are all essential but so too is a critical understanding of how parole fits into the wider criminal justice system. Individuals on release should prepare not only for surveillance and conditions but also for the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a way that resists the stigmatising narratives surrounding them.
In sum, parole is both a personal journey and a public battle where decisions are made not just in hearing rooms but also in newspaper headlines and political offices. By drawing on the insights of Cohen and Garland, we gain a clearer picture of how parole operates and how it might evolve toward a more balanced, just, and humane system.
Bibliography:
Parole Board for England and Wales (2022) How we make decisions. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/parole-board (Accessed: April 27 2025)
Cohen, S. (1985). Visions of Social Control: Crime, Punishment and Classification. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Garland, D. (2001). The culture of control : crime and social order in late modernity. Oxford: Clarendon.