A Practical Guide to Parole Board Proceedings

Parole Board policy and procedure has changed significantly over the last 5 years and a number of key changes have been made to the Parole Board Rules impacting how its work is completed. In recent years politicians have sought to tinker with the Parole Board and there have been a wealth of developments through the Courts.

This book is designed to help those with an interest in parole or to aid professionals who undertake Parole Board work navigate the changes.

The authors have appeared before the Parole Board on many occasions often within high-profile and notorious cases. They have encountered all sorts of situations and this book is intended to be a simple guide through the start to finish of a parole review.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dean Kingham has practised prison law since 2006. He initially qualified as a Barrister but chose to cross-qualify as a solicitor and was admitted to the roll in 2011. He has a number of roles within the Criminal Justice System as part of his prisoners right practice, including being an Executive Committee Member for the Association of Prison lawyers for which he acts as joint Parole Board lead, which allows him to sit on the Parole Board User Group, he is a committee member for Progressing Prisoners Maintaining Innocence and is a council member for the Human Rights Charity Justice. In 2020, he was named public law legal aid lawyer of the year, which recognised the fact he is often at the forefront of the challenging and advancing prisoner rights.

John Turner is a former Chair of the Association of Prison lawyers. Along with Dean, he is currently joint Parole Board lead for the Association of Prison lawyers and sits on the Parole Board User Group. He has practiced in prison law since 2004 and frequently appears before the Parole Board. John has also written and offered training on issues relating to prison law. Like Dean, John has acted in many key and high-profile prison law cases and has been involved in public law challenges concerning prisoners’ rights in both the domestic courts as well as in the European Court of Human Rights.

CONTENTS

Chapter One – Introduction
Chapter Two – Parole Board Rules and Published Guidance
Chapter Three – Recall
Chapter Four – The Parole Board Review Process
Chapter Five – Hearings
Chapter Six – Post Hearing