§ 16. Mr. Duffyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the working of the parole system, following the latest report of the Parole Board ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for Acton (Mr. Spearing) on 21st January.—[Vol. 809, c. 1255–6.]
§ Mr. DuffyI thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply. Aware though I am of the delicacy of the balance that must be struck by the Parole Board between administrative need and public confidence, will the Secretary of State, where it is within his power, lend his support to the working of the parole system in the direction of boldness rather than timidity?
§ Mr. CarlisleI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are well satisfied with the way in which the Parole Board is working, as the most recent figures show that about 6,500 prisoners have been released on parole since the scheme came into being, and I think that I am right in saying that only slightly over 300 have had to be recalled for any reason. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary can work only on the recommendations of the Board, which has recently been strengthened. It is doing a substantial and very important task.
§ Mr. FowlerIn view of the undoubted success of the parole scheme, does my hon. and learned Friend agree that there is a strong case for increasing the limits to make more prisoners eligible for parole? Would not that have the advantage of perhaps reducing the pressure on prisons as well as making those released under parole subject to compulsory supervision?
§ Mr. CarlisleThe scope of the scheme is under review, as I think my hon. Friend knows. At the moment, it does not apply to anyone who is serving a sentence of 18 months or less. There are certain practical difficulties in lowering the threshold, including administrative difficulties in the additional burden this would put on the local review bodies and on the Parole Board.