Victims and Prisoners Bill (2023)

Part IV of the Victims and Prisoners Bill takes forward proposals in the government’s root and branch review of the parole system. This includes provision for the creation of a “precautionary approach” to the release of a “top tier” of prisoners convicted of murder, rape, certain terrorist offences or who have caused or allowed the death of a child. It also introduces further measures which would have compromised the independence of the Parole Board. We are pleased that the government has listened to concerns during the course of the Parliamentary debate and introduced amendments to mitigate some of the worst aspects of its proposals. It has also introduced important amendments to improve the arrangements for the licence review of people serving IPP sentences.