Last amended by The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2026 (revoked) in 2026. 2 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Parole Board Rules 2019 are the statutory instrument governing the procedure of the Parole Board for England and Wales when it decides whether prisoners may safely be released or moved to open conditions. They set out how cases are referred, managed, and decided — including the constitution of panels, directions and the disclosure of information, the conduct of oral hearings, and the participation of victims. The 2019 Rules were made following R (DSD and NBV) v Parole Board (the John Worboys case), which quashed a release decision and led to reforms requiring the Board to give reasons for its decisions (rule 25) and creating a reconsideration mechanism under which a party may ask for an eligible decision to be reconsidered as irrational or procedurally unfair. The Rules have since been amended to reflect further parole reforms, including provision for tightly limited public hearings.
Key Points
- Procedure for Parole Board hearings
- Disclosure of information to prisoners and victims
- Public hearings in exceptional cases
- Duty to give reasons
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2025 — The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2025
42 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2019 — The Parole Board Rules 2019
39 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2022
13 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2023 — The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2023
4 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2026 — The Parole Board (Amendment) Rules 2026 (revoked)
2 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What do the Parole Board Rules 2019 cover?
- The Parole Board Rules 2019 govern the procedure for deciding whether prisoners in England and Wales can be safely released or moved to open conditions. They cover how cases are referred, managed, and decided, including panel constitution, information disclosure, oral hearings, and victim participation. These rules were introduced following the John Worboys case to ensure decisions are reasoned and subject to reconsideration if irrational or procedurally unfair.
- Why were the 2019 Rules introduced?
- The 2019 Rules were created after the John Worboys case, where a release decision was quashed. This led to reforms requiring the Board to provide reasons for its decisions under rule 25. It also established a reconsideration mechanism allowing parties to request that eligible decisions be reviewed if they are considered irrational or procedurally unfair. The rules have since been amended to include provisions for limited public hearings.
- Does the Parole Board have to explain its decisions?
- Yes, the Parole Board is required to give reasons for its decisions. Additionally, if a victim requests a summary of the decision, the Board must provide one. This requirement for transparency and accountability was a key reform introduced in the 2019 Rules following the John Worboys case, ensuring that the basis for release or non-release decisions is clearly documented and communicated.
- Can a decision be reconsidered if it is unfair?
- A party may ask for an eligible decision to be reconsidered if they believe it is irrational or procedurally unfair. This reconsideration mechanism was created as part of the reforms following the John Worboys case. It provides a specific procedural route for challenging the validity of a Board's decision without necessarily going through a full judicial review immediately, focusing on the fairness and logic of the original process.
- Have the 2019 Rules been updated since they were made?
- The 2019 Rules have been amended several times to reflect further parole reforms. Recorded amendment effects exist for the 2022, 2023, and 2025 Rules, as well as a revoked 2026 instrument. These amendments include provisions for tightly limited public hearings in exceptional cases, updates to disclosure procedures for prisoners and victims, and adjustments to the general procedure for hearings to keep the framework current.