§ Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to review the work of the Parole Board. [110302]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Parole Board is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body, established on 1 July 1996. The Government are committed to regular review of Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and have decided to conduct a review of the Board during the current year. The review will incorporate the requirements of the 'Quinquennial Review' process. The review will also look at the scope for improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Parole Board and the wider parole process (for both determinate and life sentenced prisoners).
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Number of offenders fined 1 and average fine given at all courts by type of offence, England and Wales, 1988–98 Indictable Summary non-motoring Summary motoring Total all offences Year Number fined Average fine (£) Number fined Average fine (£) Number fined Average fine (£) Number fined Average fine (£) 18882 151,716 110 406,042 62 690,575 85 1,248,333 81 19892 135,403 123 406,857 68 685,560 102 1,227,820 93 19902 134,662 150 397,720 72 660,332 113 1,192,714 103 19912 118,672 129 382,119 74 665,773 111 1,166,564 101 19922 109,074 133 400,323 78 674,445 110 1,183,842 101 1993 102,926 134 382,256 102 606,302 149 1,091,484 131 19942 98,195 148 380,826 98 576,223 160 1,055,244 137 19952 89,424 157 328,652 103 578,639 166 996,715 145 19962 84,617 184 402,697 103 585,710 161 1,073,024 141 1997 88,035 192 327,312 104 583,325 163 998,672 146 1998 94,592 185 367,901 105 598,250 162 1,060,743 144 1 Based on the number of offenders fined for their principal offence where the main or only disposal was a fine. 2 Known shortfall in the number of proceedings in magistrates courts for these years. The review has the following terms of reference:
Within the context of a required Quinquennial Review of Parole Board functions, and the requirements of Better Quality Services and the Civil Service modernisation programme:
to identify the key issues facing the parole and lifer review processes and the Parole Board over the next five years; andas part of the Quinquennial Review programme, to consider whether the functions of the Parole Board continue to be required, and, if so, whether a Non Departmental Public Body is the best option for delivery.to recommend changes to the parole and lifer processes which ensure that:existing procedures are made as efficient and effective as possible;new casework is dealt with efficiently and effectively and that demanding performance targets and measures are established with clear plans for delivery stated;wider developments, including advancements in information technology, are integrated successfully into the parole and lifer review processes.to recommend necessary changes to the Parole Board's status, organisation, structure and funding.