NCJ Number
61809
Date Published
1978
Length
47 pages
Annotation
CURRENT ISSUES AND DEBATES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRITISH PAROLE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT, AND 1977 PAROLE STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED.
Abstract
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1967, THE BRITISH PAROLE SYSTEM HAS EXPERIENCED A STEADY INCREASE IN WORKLOAD. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, OUT OF 7,264 DETERMINATE SENTENCE PRISONERS ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, THE BOARD CONSIDERED 2,562 CASES AND RECOMMENDED 1,835 FOR PAROLE. IN 1977 THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES WERE 10,989, 4,796, AND 3,200. OVER THE PERIOD 1969 TO 1977, THE OVERALL PAROLING RATE (THE PERCENTAGE OF DETERMINATE SENTENCE INMATES ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE WHO RECEIVE IT AT SOME STAGE OF THEIR SENTENCE) ROSE FROM 25.2 PERCENT TO 62 PERCENT. CURRENT ISSUES BEING CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD ARE THE HANDLING OF THE LONG-TERM OFFENDER, POLICY TOWARD PAROLEES DESIRING TO WORK OR TRAVEL ABROAD, AND THE PROCEDURE AND RESULTS OF PAROLE REVOCATION. DEBATE CONCERNS WHETHER THE CURRENT PAROLE SYSTEM SHOULD BE RADICALLY REVISED OR COMPLETELY ABOLISHED, WITH ARGUMENTS THAT (1) THE PRESENT SYSTEM ALLOWS TOO MUCH DISCRETION TO EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, WHICH SHOULD BE REVISED TO A PROCEDURE APPROACHING JUDICIAL PROCESS; (2) THE PRESENT SYSTEM SUBJECTS INMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO TOO MUCH UNCERTAINTY; AND (3) THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT PAROLE HAS A REFORMING EFFECT. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN EXTRACTS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 1967, A LICENSE FOR DETERMINATE SENTENCE CASES, STATISTICS OF PAROLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1977, AND A STATEMENT OF THE CRITERIA FOR PAROLE SELECTION. (RCB)