Bomb plotter wins parole challenge – The Independent

“A man jailed for 45 years for plotting to blow up an Israeli airliner won a High Court challenge today against Government refusals to allow his early release.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st April 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Killer wins ‘distress’ payout over parole delay – Daily Telegraph

“A criminal who killed a man in a pub brawl has won taxpayer-funded compensation because a delayed parole hearing breached his human rights.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Terrorist jailed in 1986 contests minister’s refusal to release him – The Guardian

“A man jailed for 45 years for plotting to blow up an Israeli airliner flying out of Heathrow today challenged the government’s refusal to accept a parole board recommendation to release him.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th November 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law Society calls for reform of murder sentencing – Law Society’s Gazette

“The Law Society has called on the government to look at introducing a three-tier system of sentencing for murder, after research published today revealed a lack of public support for the current mandatory life sentence.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 29th October 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Prisoners on indeterminate sentences ‘left in limbo’ over parole dates – The Guardian

“The government should fast-track the parole hearings of almost 2,500 prisoners who have served their minimum sentence but are still being held in jail for ‘public protection’, a leading barrister has said.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st October 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jon Venables case: inquiry ordered into parole supervision – The Guardian

“The Ministry of Justice is to review how Jon Venables, one of the young killers of James Bulger, was supervised after his release from custody in 2001.”

Full story

The Guardian, 24th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Inside the Parole Board: how freedom is granted or denied for prisoners – The Guardian

“Unprecedented access opens door to the often publicly criticised, but little understood, workings of the Parole Board.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Many offenders in jail too long, says parole chief – The Guardian

“Large numbers of prisoners are spending longer in jail than necessary due to the increasingly risk-averse attitude of the public and politicians, according to the chair of the parole board.”

Full story

The Guardian, 19th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Yorkshire Ripper will not be given parole, high court rules – The Guardian

“A high court judge today ruled that Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, will not be eligible for parole and must spend the rest of his life in custody.”

Full story

The Guardian, 16th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Parole chief: release more prisoners – The Guardian

“Large numbers of prisoners who pose no danger to the public are trapped in jail because society has become risk-averse over whether to release them on licence, the chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales said tonight.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prisoners denied release after fears of public backlash – Daily Telegraph

“Large numbers of prisoners are being held behind bars despite posing no threat to society, the chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales said last night.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 1st April 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Jack Straw raises questions about Scottish handling of Lockerbie case – The Guardian

“Jack Straw today (26 August) became the first British minister to raise questions about the handling of the release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th August 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lockerbie bomber could be freed from prison next week – The Guardian

“Preparations are under way to free the Libyan man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing from prison next week, after doctors said his terminal prostate cancer was in its final stages.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th August 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ronnie Biggs wins permission to challenge parole decision – The Guardian

“The great train robber Ronnie Biggs has been given permission to challenge the decision to refuse him parole, his legal adviser said today.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th July 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ronnie Biggs to remain in jail – The Guardian

“Ronnie Biggs, the man at the centre of Britain’s great train robbery, will remain in prison after the justice secretary, Jack Straw, refused to grant him parole.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st July 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

French student murders: parents sue over killer’s parole – The Guardian

“The parents of murdered French students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez are to sue British authorities over systematic failures in the justice system that contributed to their sons’ deaths.”

Full story

The Guardian, 5th June 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

R (James) v Secretary of State for Justice (Parole Board intervening); R (Lee) v Same (Same intervening); R (Wells) v Same (Same intervening) (on appeal from R (Walker) v Same – WLR Daily

R (James) v Secretary of State for Justice (Parole Board intervening); R (Lee) v Same (Same intervening); R (Wells) v Same (Same intervening) (on appeal from R (Walker) v Same (Same intervening)) [2009] UKHL 22; [2009] WLR (D) 145

“The failure of the Secretary of State for Justice to provide courses to enable prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection to enable them to demonstrate their safety for release to the Parole Board did not render their post-tariff detention unlawful.”

WLR Daily, 6th May 2009

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed. 

Regina (Lee) v Same; Regina (Wells) v Same – Times Law Reports

Regina (Lee) v Same; Regina (Wells) v Same

House of Lords

“Although the Secretary of State for Justice had failed in his public duty to provide such treatment courses for prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection as would enable them to demonstrate to the Parole Board that it was safe to release them, their post-tariff detention was not unlawful.”

The Times, 8th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Ronnie Biggs recommended for early release – The Times

“The Parole Board has postponed recommending whether Ronnie Biggs should be released from jail in the summer in a wrangle over who should pay for round-the-clock medical care for the Great Train Robber.”

Full story

The Times, 24th April 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Police killer Harry Roberts to be freed after 42 years in jail – The Times

“Britain’s most notorious police killer hopes to be freed from prison within months, having served 42 years in jail.”

Full story 

The Times, 28th February 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Ripper freedom ‘unlikely’ – PM -BBC News

“Gordon Brown has said it is ‘very unlikely’ Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe will be released from jail.”

Full story 

BBC News, 18th February 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Great train robber Ronnie Biggs set to be released in July – The Guardian

“Great train robber Ronnie Biggs may walk free this summer, it emerged last night. A parole board meeting on 3 July will decide if he can be released from Norwich jail after nine and a half years in custody in the UK and more than 35 years on the run in Australia and Brazil since the £2.3m raid on the Glasgow to London mail train.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th February 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Regina (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice – Times Law Reports

Regina (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice

House of Lords

“The provision requiring lawfulness of detention to be determined by a court was not infringed when the Secretary of State for Justice rather than the Parole Board determined whether certain long-term prisoners should be released on licence.”

The Times, 30th January 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Lord Chief Justice orders review over fears killers wrongly having sentences reduced – Daily Telegraph

“The Lord Chief Justice has ordered immediate changes to the system of reviewing jail terms after learning that killers could be having their tariffs wrongly reduced because vital information is not seen by judges.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 3rd November 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Regina v Hills; Regina v Pomfret; Regina v Davies – Times Law Reports

Regina v Hills; Regina v Pomfret; Regina v Davies

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

“A consecutive prison sentence could be added to a life sentence where the circumstances warranted it.”

The Times, 7th August 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Mason v Ministry of Justice – WLR Daily

Mason v Ministry of Justice [2008] EWHC 1787 (QB); [2008] WLR (D) 265

“The discretion to release a prisoner on home detention curfew could lawfully be exercised by the executive. An individual’s right under art 5(4) of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, to take proceedings by which the lawfulness of his detention could be decided, was adequately protected by the possibility of review of decisions of the executive on general public law principles.”

WLR Daily, 30th July 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

R v Hills; R v Davies; R v Pomfret – WLR Daily

R v Hills; R v Davies; R v Pomfret; [2008] WLR (D) 251

There was no practical reason why an order should not be made requiring an offender to serve an additional period of imprisonment other than the minimum period before being considered for parole where there had been a planned, deliberate and serious act of violence, in circumstances which fully justified a significant sentence of imprisonment.”

WLR Daily, 24th July 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Number of prisoners on early release scheme soars – The Independent

“Nearly 29,000 criminals have been freed from prison early in the first 11 months of an emergency scheme to beat jail overcrowding, it was announced yesterday.”

Full story

The Independent, 1st July 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man freed early ‘committed rape’ – BBC News

“A prisoner allegedly raped someone after being released early under a government scheme aimed at easing jail overcrowding, it has emerged.”

Full story

BBC News, 27th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hammer-blow murderer can ask for parole after judge overturns life sentence – Daily Telegraph

“Reginald Wilson, currently serving life for slaughtering Teesside skin specialist, David Birkett, can ask the Parole Board to free him next month after a top judge overturned his ‘whole life’ jail tariff yesterday.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th May 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Teacher killer stalls parole bid – BBC News

“The killer of headteacher Philip Lawrence will remain in prison for several more months despite being eligible for release.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st April 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

R (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice – WLR Daily

R (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice [2008] EWCA Civ 359; [2008] WLR (D) 114

“S 35(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, giving the Secretary of State power to override a Parole Board recommendation for the release on parole of a prisoner serving a sentence of more than 15 years, was not compatible with art 5(4) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.”

WLR Daily, 17th April 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Dunn v Parole Board – WLR Daily

Dunn v Parole Board [2008] EWCA Civ 374; [2008] WLR (D) 110

“In the context of CPR Pt 11, the limitation provisions within s 7(5) of the Human Rights Act 1998 provided a defence to a claim rather than going to jurisdiction, so that a failure to apply to strike out within 14 days of acknowledging service did not preclude a defendant from applying to strike out a claim on the basis of limitation.
The Court of Appeal so stated when dismissing the appeal of the claimant, Peter Dunn, from a decision of Judge Darroch, sitting in the Norwich County Court on 29 March 2007, striking out his claims against the defendant, The Parole Board, under the Human Rights Act 1998 and for false imprisonment arising out of his detention after recall to prison from that part of his sentence he was serving on licence in the community. There had been delay in the management of the case by the defendant. The grounds of appeal were that: (i) the court should have determined under CPR Pt 11 that the filing of an acknowledgment of service by the defendant precluded it from arguing the issue of limitation under s7(5) of the 1998 Act; (ii) the judge erred in finding that the claim for false imprisonment had no real prospect of success; (iii) the case was appropriate for the court to extend the period for bringing the claim under s7(5) of the 1998 Act.”

WLR Daily, 17th April 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Regina (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice – Times Law Reports

Regina (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice

Court of Appeal

“Section 35 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, giving the Secretary of State for Justice power to block the release on licence of prisoners sentenced between 1991 and 2003 to prison terms of more than 15 years, was not compatible with article 5.4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, providing that anyone deprived of his liberty had the right to have the lawfulness of his detention decided speedily by a court.”

The Times, 18th April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21days from the date of publication.

Consultation launched on delivering effective services to turn offenders away from crime – Ministry of Justice

“A consultation on a new drive to reduce reoffending has been launched to establish how Probation Boards and Trusts will provide the most cost-effective route to help rehabilitate and punish offenders.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 9th April 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Parole hearings ‘beset by delays’ – BBC News

“Serious shortcomings in the way inmates are assessed for parole have been revealed by the National Audit Office.”

Full story

BBC News, 5th March 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prisoner release system ‘puts public at risk’ – Daily Telegraph

“The public could be at risk because of the haphazard way potentially dangerous prisoners are being assessed for release, spending watchdogs have found.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 5th March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

R (Walker) v Secretary of State for Justice – WLR Daily

R (Walker) v Secretary of State for Justice; R (James) v Same [2008] EWCA Civ 30; [2008] WLR (D) 28

“The Secretary of State for Justice acted unlawfully in failing to provide courses which would allow prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection to demonstrate to the Parole Board by the expiry of their minimum terms that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public for them to be confined.”

WLR Daily, 5th February 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

R (Brooke and another) v Parole Board and another – WLR Daily

R (Brooke and another) v Parole Board and another; R (O’Connell) v Parole Board and another; R (Murphy) v Parole Board and another [2008] EWCA Civ 29; [2008] WLR (D) 26

“The Parole Board did not have the independence from the executive that was required for its judicial role in determining whether convicted prisoners should be released on licence.”

WLR Daily, 5th February 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Regina (Walker (David)) v Secretary of State for Justice – Times Law Reports

Regina (Walker (David)) v Secretary of State for Justice; Regina (James (Brett)) v Same

Court of Appeal

“The Secretary of State for Justice acted unlawfully in failing to let prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection show the Parole Board by the expiry of their minimum terms that it was no longer necessary to confine them.”

The Times, 6th February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Regina (Brooke and Another) v Parole Board and Another – Times Law Reports

Regina (Brooke and Another) v Parole Board and Another; Regina (O’Connell) v Same Regina (Murphy) v Same

“The Parole Board’s relationship with the executive was such that it did not have the independence required when determining whether convicted prisoners should remain in prison or be released on licence.”

The Times, 5th February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Court rulings to force parole and prison changes – The Guardian

“The justice minister, Jack Straw, suffered two embarrassing defeats in the court of appeal yesterday, which will force him to pour millions of pounds into the prison and parole system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Plan to check criminals in tatters after cost of IT programme doubles – The Times

“A government plan to monitor offenders more closely was in tatters last night after ministers scaled back an IT programme because costs had almost doubled to £512 million.”

Full story

The Times, 9th January 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

R (O’Connell) v Parole Board and another – WLR Daily

R (O’Connell) v Parole Board and another [2007] EWHC 2591 (Admin)

“A decision by the Parole Board as to whether to direct the release on licence of a prisoner serving an extended sentence under s 227 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 who had not yet finished the custodial part of the imposed term, engaged the right not to be arbitrarily detained under art 5(4) of the European Convention on Human Rights. However, art 5(4) did not require an oral hearing in every case where the question was the assessment of risk to the public, and whether or not an oral hearing was necessary would depend upon the facts.”

WLR Daily, 13th November 2007

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Regina (Brooke and Another) v Parole Board and Others Regina (O’Connell) v Same Regina (Murphy) v Same – Times Law Report

Relationship too close for independence of board

Regina (Brooke and Another) v Parole Board and Others Regina (O’Connell) v Same Regina (Murphy) v Same

Queen’s Bench Divisional Court

“The Parole Board’s relationship with central government was such that it did not have sufficient independence to carry out its role of reviewing the continued detention of prisoners lawfully, as required by common law and article 5.4 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”

The Times, 18th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Parole hearings “deny prisoners’ human rights” – Daily Telegraph

“The troubled parole system suffered another blow yesterday when the High Court ruled that hearings in which prisoners are assessed for release are not sufficiently independent of Government.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 9th September 2007

Source:  www.telegraph.co.uk

Regina (Gulliver) v. Parole Board – Times Law Reports

Parole Board responsibility

Regina (Gulliver) v. Parole Board

Court of Appeal

“When a prisoner who had been released on licence was recalled to prison, in deciding whether or not to order his release, the Parole Board was entitled to take into account all the circumstances, and was not confined to a review of the breach of the licence condition for which the Secretary of State for Justice had ordered his recall.”

The Times, 20th August 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Time Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Prisons lacking parole facilities ruled unlawful – The Independent

“The Government’s problems in handling the crisis in the prison system were compounded today when the High Court ruled that the detention of prisoners with no facilities to assess their suitability for release was ‘arbitrary, unreasonable and unlawful’.”

Full story

The Independent, 31st July 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prisoners to claim millions for parole delay – Daily Telegraph

“Millions of pounds are set to be paid out by the Government to prisoners kept in jail beyond their release dates.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 29th July 2007

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Murderer wins review over use of secret parole evidence – The Independent

“A 71-year-old man jailed 40 years ago for murdering three police officers in Shepherds Bush, west London, was given permission yesterday to seek a judicial review. The 30-year sentence passed on Harry Roberts expired nine years ago.”

Full story

The Independent, 30th June 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Regina (Cooper) v. Parole Board – Times Law Reports

Parole board 55-day target unlawful

Regina (Cooper) v. Parole Board

Queen’s Bench Division

“Parole Board’s target of 55 days from request for the setting of hearing dates to considering the propriety of a person’s recall to prison, being driven by resources, was unlawful.”

The Times, 6th June 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.