Parole system to open up under new rules
Regulations to bring greater transparency to Scotland’s parole system have been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
The new rules create a specific procedure for victims, who are registered with the Victim Notification Scheme, to observe parole hearings, and arrangements for the Parole Board to publish redacted and anonymised summaries of their decisions to release prisoners, explaining the reasons for doing so, with a summary also being provided to the victim or family members involved should they wish to receive it.
In addition they make clear that the Parole Board for Scotland may take the safety and security of victims and their family members into account when deciding whether or not to grant parole.
The rules come into force on 1 March 2021.
Announcing the rules, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "Parole is an important part of most modern criminal justice systems in Scotland, providing a clear evidence-based framework for determining whether and when someone who has been serving a long-term prison sentence should be returned to the community.
"We made a commitment to simplify and modernise the provisions around parole and these regulations are a step in this direction. The Transforming Parole Implementation Group are building on the public consultation and we will be undertaking a full rewrite of the rules later this year."
He added: "Parole Board for Scotland members do a difficult and complex job which requires careful judgment and expertise in assessing risk. By ensuring openness and transparency, I believe we can strengthen public confidence in an already fair and robust system which recognises the need to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration."