Getting parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence. You’ll be kept under supervision, known as being ‘on licence’ or probation . You may be released or transferred to an open prison (‘open conditions’). There are different rules for young offenders . There are also different rules in Scotland and rules in Northern Ireland . The government will apply for parole on your behalf - you do not have to do anything. When you’re eligible for parole When you’re eligible for parole depends on what type of sentence you have. Life or indeterminate sentence You’ll be contacted either: 3 years before your earliest release date (‘tariff’) runs out if you’re serving a sentence of 4 years or more at least 6 months before your tariff runs out if you’re serving a shorter sentence Extended or fixed-term sentences You’ll be contacted up to 6 months before your earliest release date if you have either: an extended sentence a fixed-term sentence of 4 years or more, given before 3 December 2012 for a serious violent or sexual crime committed before 4 April 2005 You’re not eligible for parole if your sentence is less than 4 years. What happens next You’ll get an application form to fill in. Ask a friend for help if you need to. You can also use a legal advisor. The prison will put together some documents. They’ll include what you’ve done in prison and what you plan to do on release. Check that the documents are correct. You can add evidence (‘representations’) showing why you should be released. The Parole Board will decide either that you cannot be released or that your case needs a hearing . You may have to represent yourself if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor. It usually takes 6 months to get a decision about your case. Your case will be reviewed again within 2 years if you do not get parole. Challenge the Parole Board’s decision You may be able to challenge the Parole Board’s decision .

You may have to go to a hearing before the Parole Board can make a decision. You’ll get a hearing if: the Parole Board thinks there’s a realistic prospect of you being released or moved to open conditions they need more evidence from you because the file did not give them what they needed for any other reason, the Board thinks it would be fair to give you an oral hearing You’ll be told when and how the hearing will be held. Hearings and coronavirus (COVID-19) Because of coronavirus, most hearings are now taking place remotely - either by phone or video. If the Parole Board decides your case needs a face to face hearing, it will work with the prison to make arrangements for a safe hearing to take place. What happens at the hearing Up to 3 members of a panel will decide whether to release you based on a file of documents the prison puts together. This includes: your behaviour in prison what you plan to do once released whether you’re likely to commit more crime or are a danger to the public why you’re in prison previous offences what the judge said when you were sentenced the victim statement - this may be read at the hearing medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence Who’ll be at the hearing You must usually attend the Parole Board hearing. There will be other people at the hearing, for example: your solicitor (you may need to represent yourself at the hearing if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor) a prison psychologist the victim (when they’re reading their victim statement) the victim liaison officer witnesses What happens next The Parole Board will write to you with their decision. The hearing and full decision will be kept private. You may be able to challenge the decision .

Represent yourself at the hearing

You’ll have to represent yourself at the Parole Board hearing if you do not use a solicitor. Check if you can get legal aid to help pay for a solicitor. Read more detailed information about representing yourself at a hearing . Help and advice Ask the Offender Management Unit in your prison to give you the name and number of the case manager handling your case. You can also get help from: Prisoners Advice Service Howard League Prison Reform Trust your prisoner offender supervisor, offender manager or case administrator a solicitor You can also contact the Parole Board for help and advice. Parole Board Telephone: 0203 880 0885 Find out about call charges Your family and friends can also get support.

You can challenge a Parole Board decision that was made on or after 22 July 2019. You cannot challenge a decision made before 22 July 2019, but you can apply for judicial review . You can challenge a Parole Board decision if you think: your parole was not reviewed correctly, for example important information was not given to the Parole Board the decision was unreasonable The Parole Board will decide if the decision needs to be reconsidered, and if there needs to be a new hearing. Ask your lawyer if you can get criminal legal aid to help pay for the costs of challenging a decision. If the Parole Board refuses to reconsider the decision you can apply for judicial review .

Getting parole

Overview

Getting parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence. You’ll be kept under supervision, known as being ‘on licence’ or probation.

You may be released or transferred to an open prison (‘open conditions’).

There are different rules for young offenders. There are also different rules in Scotland and rules in Northern Ireland.

The government will apply for parole on your behalf - you do not have to do anything.

When you’re eligible for parole

When you’re eligible for parole depends on what type of sentence you have.

Life or indeterminate sentence

You’ll be contacted either:

3 years before your earliest release date (‘tariff’) runs out if you’re serving a sentence of 4 years or more
at least 6 months before your tariff runs out if you’re serving a shorter sentence

Extended or fixed-term sentences

You’ll be contacted up to 6 months before your earliest release date if you have either:

an extended sentence
a fixed-term sentence of 4 years or more, given before 3 December 2012 for a serious violent or sexual crime committed before 4 April 2005

You’re not eligible for parole if your sentence is less than 4 years.

What happens next

You’ll get an application form to fill in. Ask a friend for help if you need to. You can also use a legal advisor.
The prison will put together some documents. They’ll include what you’ve done in prison and what you plan to do on release.
Check that the documents are correct. You can add evidence (‘representations’) showing why you should be released.
The Parole Board will decide either that you cannot be released or that your case needs a hearing. You may have to represent yourself if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor.

It usually takes 6 months to get a decision about your case.

Your case will be reviewed again within 2 years if you do not get parole.

Challenge the Parole Board’s decision

You may be able to challenge the Parole Board’s decision.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Getting parole

Overview

When you’re eligible for parole

Life or indeterminate sentence

Extended or fixed-term sentences

What happens next

Challenge the Parole Board’s decision

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Getting parole

Overview

When you’re eligible for parole

Life or indeterminate sentence

Extended or fixed-term sentences

What happens next

Challenge the Parole Board’s decision

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