The Parole Board for England and Wales: What It Is and How It Works
Last reviewed: June 2026.
In short: the Parole Board is an independent body that decides whether certain prisoners are safe to release. It deals mainly with life and indeterminate sentences (including IPP), recalled prisoners and some long determinate sentences. Its single legal test is whether it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the person is confined. Decisions are made on the papers or at an oral hearing by trained members — judges, psychologists, psychiatrists and lay members. It is not a court and does not punish or re-try the case; it assesses future risk. For how parole works for a prisoner, see our parole guide.
What the Parole Board does
The Board doesn’t decide guilt or set sentences. Its job is to assess risk and decide release in cases where release isn’t automatic. That mainly means life and indeterminate-sentence prisoners who have served their minimum term (“tariff”), prisoners recalled to custody for breaching licence, and certain long or higher-risk determinate cases referred to it.
The test it applies
For each case the Board asks one core question: is it no longer necessary for the protection of the public for the person to be detained? If it is satisfied the risk can be safely managed in the community, it can direct release, usually with licence conditions; if not, it doesn’t release, and may instead recommend a move to open conditions in some cases.
Who makes the decision
| Member type | Brings |
|---|---|
| Judicial members | Legal expertise (often judges) |
| Psychologist / psychiatrist members | Risk and clinical assessment |
| Lay members | An independent, community perspective |
Paper reviews and oral hearings
Many cases are decided on the papers (the dossier of reports). Where release or detention is finely balanced, there is an oral hearing at which the prisoner, witnesses and professionals give evidence. Since reforms in 2022, some hearings can be held in public, and there is a reconsideration mechanism allowing a decision to be challenged if it appears legally flawed or irrational.
The victim’s role
Victims can take part through the Victim Contact Scheme: they can submit a Victim Personal Statement and request licence conditions such as exclusion zones or no-contact conditions. They don’t decide the outcome, but their representations are considered.
Common misunderstandings
- Thinking the Board can shorten a sentence — it only decides release, not the sentence length.
- Assuming release is automatic at the tariff — for indeterminate sentences it isn’t; the Board must be satisfied on risk.
- Believing it’s a court that re-tries the case — it assesses future risk, not guilt.
- Overlooking the victim’s role — victims can make representations and request licence conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Parole Board decide?
Whether certain prisoners are safe to release, using the public-protection test — mainly life/indeterminate, recalled and some long determinate cases.
Is the Parole Board a court?
No. It’s an independent body that assesses risk; it doesn’t decide guilt or set sentences.
Can victims take part?
Yes — through the Victim Contact Scheme they can submit a statement and ask for licence conditions.
Related guides and official sources
See how parole works, IPP sentences and prison sentences explained. Official: the Parole Board for England and Wales.
