Section 239: The Parole Board, Criminal Justice Act 2003

The Parole Board is to continue to be, by that name, a body corporate and as such is—

to be constituted in accordance with this Chapter, and

to have the functions conferred on it by this Chapter in respect of fixed-term prisoners and by Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43) (in this Chapter referred to as "the 1997 Act") in respect of life prisoners within the meaning of that Chapter.

It is the duty of the Board to advise the Secretary of State with respect to any matter referred to it by him which is to do with the early release or recall of prisoners.

The Board must, in dealing with cases as respects which it makes recommendations under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act, consider—

any documents given to it by the Secretary of State, and

any other oral or written information obtained by it;

and if in any particular case the Board thinks it necessary to interview the person to whom the case relates before reaching a decision, the Board may authorise one of its members to interview him and must consider the report of the interview made by that member.

The Board must deal with cases as respects which it gives directions under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act on consideration of all such evidence as may be adduced before it.

Without prejudice to subsections (3) and (4), the Secretary of State may make rules with respect to the proceedings of the Board, including proceedings authorising cases to be dealt with by a prescribed number of its members or requiring cases to be dealt with at prescribed times.

Rules under subsection (5) may, in particular, make provision—

requiring or permitting the Board to make provisional decisions;

about the circumstances—

in which the Board must or may reconsider such decisions;

in which such decisions become final;

conferring power on the Board to set aside a decision or direction that is within subsection (5B),

and any such provision may relate to cases referred to the Board under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act.

The following are within this subsection—

a direction given by the Board for, or a decision made by it not to direct, the release of a prisoner which the Board determines it would not have given or made but for an error of law or fact, or

a direction given by the Board for the release of a prisoner which the Board determines it would not have given if—

information that was not available to the Board when the direction was given had been so available, or

a change in circumstances relating to the prisoner that occurred after the direction was given had occurred before it was given.

Provision made by virtue of subsection (5A)(c)—

may not confer power on the Board to set aside a direction for the release of a prisoner at any time when the prisoner has already been released pursuant to that direction, but

may make provision for the suspension of any requirement under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act for the Secretary of State to give effect to a direction of the Board to release a prisoner, pending consideration by the Board as to whether to set it aside.

Rules under subsection (5) may also make provision for functions of the Board (including judicial functions) to be exercised by employees of the Board, other than any function so far as its exercise involves—

making a public protection decision in relation to a prisoner within the meaning of section 237A(2) of this Act or section 28ZA(2) of the 1997 Act;

giving a direction for the release of a prisoner on licence under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act;

making a decision or giving a direction under subsection (4) or (4F) of section 31A of the 1997 Act (imprisonment or detention for public protection: termination of licences);

reconsidering a decision or setting aside a decision or direction under provision made by virtue of subsection (5A).

The Secretary of State may also give to the Board directions as to the matters to be taken into account by it in discharging any functions under this Chapter or under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 1997 Act; and in giving any such directions the Secretary of State must have regard to—

the need to protect the public from serious harm from offenders, and

the desirability of preventing the commission by them of further offences and of securing their rehabilitation.

Schedule 19 shall have effect with respect to the Board.

Section 239: The Parole Board

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