Prison Service and Parole Decisions

HL Deb 20 July 2004 vol 664 c31WA

Lord Brightman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 30 June (WA 27), what is meant by the statement that "the Prison Service has no input into the parole decision process"; and [HL3645]

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 30 June (WA 27) that "the Prison Service has no input into the parole decision process", whether the governor of a prison is entitled to pass information to those processing a case for parole. [HL3646]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

My intention was to make it clear that the Prison Service was not a party to the decisions of the Parole Board as to whether parole was granted in individual cases. The noble Lord is correct in saying that a prison governor may, and indeed must, pass relevant information to the Parole Board about individual prisoners. This process is formalised in the "parole dossier" referred to in my earlier reply.