The Parole Board
The Parole Board is an independent body established under the Parole Act 2019. It currently reviews parole applications from people in prison serving a life sentence and decides whether or not they should be released on parole.
Parole involves release from prison under certain conditions. If granted parole, the person must comply with all the conditions of their parole order. They are still serving a life sentence, but in the community. The person may be returned to prison if they reoffend or break a condition of the parole order.
A person serving a life sentence can usually apply for parole when they have served 10.5 years of their sentence. Parole will not be granted to anyone who has served less than 12 years or is serving a sentence for another offence.
When deciding on a parole application, the Parole Board considers many factors including:
- the potential risk presented by the applicant to the safety and security of the public;
- the applicant’s rehabilitation and capacity to reintegrate into society; and
- whether it is appropriate that the applicant be released on parole.
The Parole Board may also request reports from relevant services relating to the applicant. Free legal aid is available to persons applying for parole.
Engagement with victims
The Parole Act 2019 defines a “victim” as:
- A person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss, which was directly caused by a criminal offence for which the person is serving a term of life imprisonment;
- The family members of a person whose death was directly caused by a criminal offence and who have suffered harm including physical, mental, or emotional harm, or economic loss as a direct result of that offence.
Relevant victims can make a submission to the Parole Board, if they wish to do so. A submission is an account in their own words of the effect and impact the offence has had on them. They can tell the Board how the offence affected them and how the parole applicant’s release might affect them, their family and their community.
A victim can also ask the Parole Board to consider specific conditions to be attached to a person’s parole order, if granted. Meetings with victims are held separately to the Parole Board’s meeting with the parole applicant.
Free legal aid is available to victims to assist them in making their submission.
For more information visit www.gov.ie/paroleboard
