Research at Parole Board
Research and Development on Parole
Introduction
The Parole Board is committed to taking a more evidence-based approach to informing continuous improvement of policy and practice related to parole, and this includes outcomes and recommendations from good quality research and thematic studies.
The Parole Board is in a unique position and can provide access to its staff and members, sets of data and information that it owns, as well as access to policy and practice professionals.
As such, we have a published Research Framework which will ensure that research involving the Parole Board is conducted ethically and is of benefit to the Parole Board and the victims and prisoners with whom we work.
Data
We define ‘research involving the Parole Board’ as capturing any work which involves collecting information for research and/or evaluation purposes, which can include observing parole proceedings, access to decisions, or talking to our staff and members about their work.
Data that is routinely collected as part of the information for management, monitoring or audit purposes is also periodically published and this includes:
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Data on caseload
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Data on decisions
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Data on delays
For information about what we do with personal data see our privacy notice
If you would like further information or data please contact us on the following email:
It should be noted that access to data relating to prisoners and victims not owned by the Parole Board, or contact with individuals not working in any capacity for the Parole Board, will usually require approval through the appropriate routes within the Ministry of Justice or His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Undertaking Research on Parole
High quality research can help improve practice and policy within the parole system. If research projects can be shown to be of benefit, we will consider supporting them by enabling access to our staff and members, case management data, and in some cases other individuals. We require that projects are conducted ethically, that there are appropriate safeguards in place to meet information assurance requirements, and that no individuals are identifiable within published research.
If you are interested in undertaking research related to parole and wish to access Parole Board data or people, you must first secure approval from the Parole Board Research Governance Group (RGG). The RGG will review the feasibility of your research and its relevance to the work of the Board.
The RGG periodically considers where there are gaps in evidence and where research would be beneficial to support better understanding. The RGG draws up a set of priority areas based on these considerations and proposes them to the Management Committee who determine that they align with the Board’s current business priorities.
Our current priorities are:
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Research into procedural justice and impact of parole reforms on the system and people
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Research into the experiences of vulnerable prisoners
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Research into the experiences of minority group prisoners
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Research and insight relevant to terrorism risk offending cases
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Research relating to Serious Further Offences
Applications that relate to any of the above are encouraged. However, studies in other areas will be considered where they would contribute to improving and/or better understanding of the parole process. The above list is therefore not a limiting range.
For your research to be considered by the RGG, please complete the research application form, after reading the Research Governance Framework.
The Framework provides information on what the RGG will be looking for when assessing applications and how decisions about applications are made.
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The application form can be downloaded here:
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Any researcher accessing our data or people will be required to sign our confidentiality and information assurance declaration.
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Please note the Parole Board cannot fund research and applications will need to set out in detail how funding will be secured. However, we may, where appropriate, support funding applications to other organisations.
If you are unsure whether your application will meet the criteria set out in the Framework or have any other questions about the process please contact us and we will assist where we can.
Please note that the Board is currently at capacity in supporting research studies. Whilst it is still accepting applications, it is unlikely that access to Parole Board members and staff will be made available until early 2024. Applicants should bear this in mind when planning their research.
Research Governance Group (RGG)
The Research Governance Group (RGG) was established in 2018 and is made up of Parole Board members, senior management, secretariat staff and an external academic. The RGG provides a forum for the organisation to take a more structured and strategic approach to research. The RGG meets formally twice a year, but will review research applications outside of formal meetings.
The Terms of Reference can be downloaded here:
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Annual Research Activity Reviews
Each year the RGG prepares a report for the Management Committee detailing the range of research activities progressed during the year, including research studies approved by the RGG.
The Annual Research Activity Reviews can be downloaded here:
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Recent RGG Approved Research Studies
Since the RGG was established in 2018, it has approved 14 studies (as at May 2023), some of which have concluded and others are currently underway.
Although the RGG approved these research applications, all research findings are solely those of the researcher and are entirely independent of the Parole Board. The Parole Board will consider and evaluate any research findings and may use them to inform policy and practice, however, the Board does not necessarily endorse all findings.
The following RGG approved research studies have now concluded:
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How Parole Board members (and judges) make decisions about perpetrators of domestic abuse (intimate partner violence) – University College London
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The experiences of prisoners recalled under the sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection – Prison Reform Trust/Russell Webster
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Investigating the effects of setting on the structure of questioning in Parole Board hearings: a comparison between remote hearings and in-person hearings – Sheffield Hallam University
As further RGG approved research studies conclude, details will be shared on the website.
Any enquiries regarding research at the Parole Board should be sent to Kate Taylor:
Historical Research
Any studies are referenced here for information and this does not necessarily indicate the Board’s endorsement of them. Some key research that have taken place with the Parole Board are below:
Research undertaken by Parole Board members
-Understanding the Process of Psychological Risk Assessment: Exploring the Experiences of Psychologists, Indeterminate Sentenced Prisoners and Parole Board Members (2019)
-What do Parole Board Members say informs their decision-making? (2018) -What influences members of the Parole Board of England and Wales making decisions about male sex offenders? An exploratory study (2017)
-To Release or not to release? A study of Parole Board decision making in paper hearings on recalled determinate sentence prisoners (2017)
External Research
Too many bends in the tunnel? Women serving Indeterminate Sentences of IPP - what are the barriers to risk reduction, release and resettlement?
Sarah Smart (2019)
A Helping Hand – Supporting Families in the Resettlement of People Serving IPPs
Harry Annison and Christina Straub (2018)
Parole Board Oral Hearings: Exploring the Barriers to Release – two part study
Professor Nicola Padfield Institute of Criminology University of Cambridge (2016/17)
The final reports can be found here:
HM Inspectorate of Prisons (2016)
Siân Bradford and Paul Cowell
Ministry of Justice (2012)
AN EXPLORATION OF DECISION-MAKING AT DISCRETIONARY LIFER PANELS
Professor Nicola Padfield and Alison Liebling with Helen Arnold
Institute of Criminology
University of Cambridge (2000)
PAROLE DECISION-MAKING: WEIGHING THE RISK TO THE PUBLIC
Roger Hood and Stephen Shute (1999)