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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’).

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

What happens next

1. 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.

2. The prison will put together some documents. They’ll include what you’ve done in prison and what you plan to do on release.

3. Check that the documents are correct. You can add evidence (‘representations’) showing why you should be released.

4. The Parole Board will decide either that you cannot be released or that your case needs a Parole Board hearing. You may have to represent yourself if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor.

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 decides it is necessary for your case to be considered fairly.

You’ll be told when and how the hearing will be held.

What happens at the hearing

Most hearings happen by phone or video. If your hearing is face to face, it will take place in the prison you’re in.

Up to 3 members of a panel will make a decision 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

Most hearings are held in private. You or your solicitor can request for your hearing to be held in public.

What happens next

The Parole Board will write to you with their decision within 14 days. The hearing and full decision will be kept private, unless you had a public hearing.

You may be able to challenge the decision.

You’ll have to represent yourself at the Parole Board hearing if you do not use a solicitor.

You may be able to get legal aid to help pay for a solicitor.

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:

• your prisoner offender supervisor, offender manager or case administrator
• a solicitor

You can also contact the Parole Board for help and advice.

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.