Parole chief: We must tell victims of our decisions
THE Parole Board chairman has called for radical change so that the reasons for its decisions can be made public.
Professor Nick Hardwick said there should be a “presumption” the independent body should “tell victims as much as we can”.
It comes after some women who rapist John Worboys attacked learnt from the media that the board had decided to release him.
Prof Hardwick said yesterday: “One of the things we should look at is the victims, who want to get one, getting a summary of the parole board’s decisions...
“It should be possible to provide some statements publicly about the reasons for a decision.” Prof Hardwick favours an online register of cases so the public can track developments.
He also said it was “undignified” and unacceptable that two of Worboys’ victims had to make an online appeal to raise funds for a judicial review of the decision to set the rapist free.
Prof Hardwick told MPs on the Commons Justice Committee a new review system should be introduced, adding it could be similar to the scheme by which people can complain to the Attorney General about what they think are lenient jail sentences.
A probe into the transparency of the board’s rulings has been ordered by the Justice Secretary.