Getting parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence. You鈥檒l be kept under supervision, known as being 鈥榦n licence鈥� or probation . You may be released or transferred to an open prison (鈥榦pen conditions鈥�). There are different rules for young offenders . There are also different rules in Scotland and rules in Northern Ireland . The government will apply for parole on your behalf - you do not have to do anything. When you鈥檙e eligible for parole When you鈥檙e eligible for parole depends on what type of sentence you have. Life or indeterminate sentence You鈥檒l be contacted either: 3 years before your earliest release date (鈥榯ariff鈥�) 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 Extended or fixed-term sentences You鈥檒l be contacted up to 6 months before your earliest release date if you have either: an extended sentence a fixed-term sentence of 4 years or more, given before 3 December 2012 for a serious violent or sexual crime committed before 4 April 2005 You鈥檙e not eligible for parole if your sentence is less than 4 years. What happens next You鈥檒l get an application form to fill in. Ask a friend for help if you need to. You can also use a legal advisor. The prison will put together some documents. They鈥檒l include what you鈥檝e done in prison and what you plan to do on release. Check that the documents are correct. You can add evidence (鈥榬epresentations鈥�) showing why you should be released. The Parole Board will decide either that you cannot be released or that your case needs a Parole Board hearing . You may have to represent yourself if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor. It usually takes 6 months to get a decision about your case and can take longer if you need a Parole Board hearing. Your case will be reviewed again within 2 years if you do not get parole. Challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision You may be able to challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision .

You may have to go to a hearing before the Parole Board can make a decision. You鈥檒l get a hearing if the Parole Board decides it is necessary for your case to be considered fairly. You鈥檒l be told when and how the hearing will be held. What happens at the hearing Most hearings happen by phone or video. If your hearing is face to face, it will take place in the prison you鈥檙e in. Up to 3 members of a panel will make a decision based on a file of documents the prison puts together. This includes: your behaviour in prison what you plan to do once released whether you鈥檙e likely to commit more crime or are a danger to the public why you鈥檙e in prison previous offences what the judge said when you were sentenced the victim statement - this may be read at the hearing medical, psychiatric and psychological evidence Who鈥檒l be at the hearing You must usually attend the Parole Board hearing. There will be other people at the hearing, for example: your solicitor (you may need to represent yourself at the hearing if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor) a prison psychologist the victim (when they鈥檙e reading their victim statement) the victim liaison officer witnesses Most hearings are held in private. You or your solicitor can request for your hearing to be held in public . What happens next The Parole Board will write to you with their decision within 14 days. The hearing and full decision will be kept private, unless you had a public hearing. You may be able to challenge the decision .

Represent yourself at the hearing

You鈥檒l have to represent yourself at the Parole Board hearing if you do not use a solicitor. You may be able to get legal aid to help pay for a solicitor. Read more detailed information about representing yourself at a hearing . Help and advice Ask the Offender Management Unit in your prison to give you the name and number of the case manager handling your case. You can also get help from: Prisoners Advice Service Howard League Prison Reform Trust your prisoner offender supervisor, offender manager or case administrator a solicitor You can also contact the Parole Board for help and advice. Parole Board Telephone: 0203 880 0885 Find out about call charges Your family and friends can also get support.

You can challenge a Parole Board decision that was made on or after 22 July 2019. You cannot challenge a decision made before 22 July 2019, but you can apply for judicial review . You can challenge a Parole Board decision if you think: your parole was not reviewed correctly, for example important information was not given to the Parole Board the decision was unreasonable The Parole Board will decide if the decision needs to be reconsidered, and if there needs to be a new hearing. Ask your lawyer if you can get criminal legal aid to help pay for the costs of challenging a decision. If the Parole Board refuses to reconsider the decision you can apply for judicial review .

Getting parole: Overview

Getting parole

Overview

Getting parole means you can leave prison or be released from custody before the end of your sentence. You鈥檒l be kept under supervision, known as being 鈥榦n licence鈥� or probation.

You may be released or transferred to an open prison (鈥榦pen conditions鈥�).

There are different rules for young offenders. There are also different and .

The government will apply for parole on your behalf - you do not have to do anything.

When you鈥檙e eligible for parole

When you鈥檙e eligible for parole depends on what type of sentence you have.

Life or indeterminate sentence

You鈥檒l be contacted either:

3 years before your earliest release date (鈥榯ariff鈥�) 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

Extended or fixed-term sentences

You鈥檒l be contacted up to 6 months before your earliest release date if you have either:

an extended sentence
a fixed-term sentence of 4 years or more, given before 3 December 2012 for a serious violent or sexual crime committed before 4 April 2005

You鈥檙e not eligible for parole if your sentence is less than 4 years.

What happens next

You鈥檒l get an application form to fill in. Ask a friend for help if you need to. You can also use a legal advisor.
The prison will put together some documents. They鈥檒l include what you鈥檝e done in prison and what you plan to do on release.
Check that the documents are correct. You can add evidence (鈥榬epresentations鈥�) showing why you should be released.
The Parole Board will decide either that you cannot be released or that your case needs a Parole Board hearing. You may have to represent yourself if you cannot get legal aid or do not have a solicitor.

It usually takes 6 months to get a decision about your case and can take longer if you need a Parole Board hearing.

Your case will be reviewed again within 2 years if you do not get parole.

Challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision

You may be able to challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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Getting parole

Overview

When you鈥檙e eligible for parole

Life or indeterminate sentence

Extended or fixed-term sentences

What happens next

Challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision

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Getting parole

Overview

When you鈥檙e eligible for parole

Life or indeterminate sentence

Extended or fixed-term sentences

What happens next

Challenge the Parole Board鈥檚 decision

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