Guidance

Observer guidance - private hearings (March 2024 v2.0)

The Parole Board Observer Guidance has been completely revised and updated

• From: Parole Board
• Published: 13 August 2020

Documents

The Guidance

PDF, 242 KB, 23 pages

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Annex A- relevant extract of the Parole Board Rules 2019 (as amended)

PDF, 145 KB, 3 pages

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Annex B - Confidentiality Agreement

MS Word Document, 657 KB

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Annex C - Information about impact on IPP families

PDF, 148 KB, 2 pages

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Annex D - Panel Chair Information on Victim Observers

PDF, 211 KB, 20 pages

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Appendix I – Panel Chair Checklist

PDF, 126 KB, 3 pages

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Appendix II – Technical Information on Managing a Livestream

PDF, 409 KB, 4 pages

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Appendix III – Victim Observer Information Sheet

PDF, 205 KB, 9 pages

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Appendix IV – Victim Observer Confidentiality Form

MS Word Document, 654 KB

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Details

The Observer guidance has been fully revised to take account of:

• the changes to rule 14 (made in June 2022);
• the change in position on privacy of hearings;
• the option for a victim to observe;
• remote hearing considerations;
• information about case management conferences and directions hearings;
• the introduction of public hearings

In order to support the consideration of observer applications, the guidance has been provided to Parole Board members. Whilst the guidance aims to provide advice for most eventualities there may always be unusual circumstances not covered.

This guidance should be read carefully before considering applying to observe a parole oral hearing, which must be made through one of the parties: either the Secretary of State or the Prisoner.

Victims observing Parole Board private oral hearings is still being tested and is limited to certain regions.  It is expected that the option for a victim to observe will be expanded towards the end of 2024. 

Members of the media/press or the public should read the information on public hearings, which can be found here:

Applying for a Parole Review to be Public

Published 13 August 2020