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You might be able to get parole as a young offender if you鈥檙e:

• a young adult (18 to 21)
• a juvenile (under 18)

Parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence, but you鈥檒l be kept under supervision.

You may have to apply for parole yourself or the government may apply for you depending on what kind of sentence you鈥檙e serving.

You鈥檒l need a solicitor to help you get parole. Ask a member of the prison staff for help getting one if you don鈥檛 already have a solicitor. You might be able to get legal aid to help pay for this.

When you can apply

You can apply for parole if you鈥檙e serving a fixed-term sentence (where you鈥檙e in custody for at least 4 years) and you鈥檙e not eligible for being released automatically halfway through your sentence.

You鈥檒l be able to apply 6 months before your 鈥榯ariff鈥� runs out, which is usually halfway through your sentence. Your tariff is the minimum length of time you were ordered to stay in prison.

When the government will apply for you

The government will apply for parole for you if you鈥檙e serving a life sentence. You鈥檒l have to serve your tariff before you can be considered for parole.

You鈥檒l be contacted:

• 3 years before your tariff runs out if you鈥檙e serving a sentence of 4 years or more
• at least 6 months before your tariff runs out if you鈥檙e serving a shorter sentence

You can get help from staff where you鈥檙e being held in custody and supporters outside.

Ask the Offender Management Unit in your prison for the name and number of the case manager handling your case.

Your family and friends can also get support.

Get help where you鈥檙e being held in custody

You can get help from:

• your solicitor
• your prisoner offender supervisor or case administrator
• prison or custodial staff

Check if you can get legal aid

You might be able to get legal aid to help pay for the costs of applying for parole.

Get help from supporters outside

You can ask the following organisations for help:

You can also contact the Parole Board for help and advice.

1. Fill in the parole application form - you鈥檒l get this from staff where you鈥檙e being held 6 months before the first date you could be allowed to be released, otherwise known as your 鈥榩arole eligibility date鈥�.

2. Include why you think you should be released and any other information you think is relevant - this will be part of your case file.

3. Go to a Parole Board hearing, sometimes known as an oral hearing, if the Parole Board decides it cannot release you based on your case file.

Your case file

Staff in your unit or on your wing will put together a file about your case of documents about:

• your offence and any previous convictions
• your behaviour in prison
• your plans after you鈥檙e released
• anything else that might help the Parole Board make their decision

Include your own views about why you should be released.

A victim鈥檚 personal statement might also be in your case file. It will include how the victim feels about you being released.

Attend a hearing

You鈥檒l automatically get a hearing if you鈥檙e under 18 years old and the Parole Board decides it cannot release you just on the papers in your case file.

Find out what happens at a hearing.

You鈥檒l get a letter telling you what the Parole Board have decided and why. You鈥檒l get this a few days after a decision is made on your case.

It can take up to 6 months for the Parole Board to meet and make a decision on your case.

If you get parole

You鈥檒l be released on the first date you鈥檙e allowed to get parole or as soon as possible, and kept under supervision, known as being 鈥榦n licence鈥� or probation.

You can get help and financial support once you leave prison.

If you do not get parole

Your case will be sent back to the Parole Board at regular intervals if you do not get parole.

Challenge a decision

Find out how to challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision.