NCJ Number
57311
Journal
Justice of the Peace Volume: 139 Issue: 6 Dated: (FEBRUARY 8, 1975) Pages: 74-77
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS BRITISH ARTICLE SUGGESTS WAYS TO IMPROVE AND EXTEND THE PAROLE SYSTEM IN ENGLAND. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING VARIOUS FACETS OF PAROLE ARE GIVEN.
Abstract
MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF PAROLEES IN ENGLAND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE PAROLE WITHOUT TROUBLE. THUS, THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO BENEFIT MORE PRISONERS. AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE A POLICY OF CONCENTRATING UPON AFTERCARE SUPERVISION IN PAROLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE STRUGGLE AGAINST RECIDIVISM, MORE INITIAL PREPARATION FOR PAROLE (E.G., HOME LEAVE) TO ENABLE SPEEDIER RELEASE WHEN ELIGIBILITY OCCURS, A PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE OPT-IN/OPT-OUT PAROLE POLICY AND DEFERRING HOME INQUIRY UNTIL THE PRISONER ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IS THOUGHT TO HAVE A REASONABLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS. SELECTION FOR PAROLE SHOULD BE A PERSONAL, VISIBLE PROCESS RATHER THAN REMOTE AND IMPERSONAL, AND LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PRISONER DURING THE PAROLE HEARING. WHEN A PRISONER IS REFUSED PAROLE, REASONS SHOULD BE GIVEN. CRITERIA FOR PAROLE SHOULD BE BETTER DEFINED. THE PAROLE PROCESS IS AT PRESENT FRAUGHT WITH DELAY CAUSING UNNECESSARY ANXIETY FOR THE PRISONER. IN SUMMARY, ALTHOUGH PAROLE HAS BEEN THE MOST SUCCESSFUL OF BRITISH PENAL INNOVATIONS, INTENSIFIED RESEARCH AND REVIEW IN THE JUDICIARY AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES ARE NECESSARY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (MJW)