Voices in Justice: Parole Reform in Scotland: Consultation Analysis - easy read version
In 2025 a consultation was held, Voices in Justice - a Consultation on parole reform in Scotland. It asked victims, people in custody, justice professionals, and the wider public for their views on the parole system. This document is the summary of those response in easy read format.
Consultation
Recall and re-release
Recall means sending someone back to prison if they break their licence conditions.
Re-release is when someone is released again after a recall.
Most people thought the Parole Board need more options when making decisions about recall.
Victims and their supporters want recall decisions to put the victim and public safety first.
Most people thought that there should be a re-release parole hearing 2 to 4 weeks after recall.
People thought the Parole Board should be able to
- give those released on licence support and time to explain before deciding to recall
- limit the freedom of the person released on licence
Victims said people released on licence should be brought back to prison if they break the rules.
They thought this was most important if the person released on licence had
- contacted or threatened their victim
- threatened women
- threatened children
People were not sure if re-release worked well.
Contact
Email: paroleconsultation@gov.scot