When can I apply for parole?
You can apply up to 6 months before your earliest release date. This date depends upon the kind of sentence you have. The earliest date will be half-way through your sentence.
How do I apply for parole?
The prison should give you a form to fill in 6 months before your earliest release date. You need to fill in this form and hand it back to the prison.
The prison will put together a file on you, what you have done in prison and what you plan to do on release. You can see this file to check it is correct and add your own views.
When your file is ready, three members of the Parole Board will meet to discuss your case. You will not be asked to be at this meeting.
The Parole Board is not part of the Prison Service and will make its own decision.
The panel will consider the risk that you might commit offences on licence, and whether you should be released.
How do I get the decision?
You may have to wait up to six months for the Parole Board to get all the right information and meet to decide your case. Once they have met they will tell you their decision within a few days.
The Parole Board will send you a letter with their decision and the reasons for it. If you are unhappy with any of the reasons in the letter then you should talk to your solicitor.
If I dont get parole how long do I have to wait for another review?
You will normally be reviewed once a year.
What help can I get?
You can get help from
- Your prison offender supervisor or case administrator
- Your solicitor
- Another supporter outside prison
