§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What instructions have been issued to governors or chaplains about the responsibility for preparation of reports by chaplains or visiting ministers for the parole authorities.
Earl FerrersNo instructions have been issued on this matter in respect of eligibility for parole, but chaplains or visiting ministers can provide reports about prisoners as part of the parole dossier, where they consider this to be appropriate.
Formal guidance is however provided to governors, chaplains and others about their responsibilities for preparing reports on a life sentence prisoner's progress and suitability for release. This is contained in an instruction to Prison Service establishments which sets out detailed procedures for the management, review and eventual release on licence of life sentence prisoners.