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
How parole decisions are made
People in custody are tested to see if they should be released. Most people said the tests should look at
- the risks of releasing the person in custody
- how easily the person in custody would settle back into society
People were not sure if the rules of how to decide if a person should be released should change. People who liked the current rules said they are fair.
Some people said that the Parole Board should be told that they must consider the right things. They should not say they might consider those things when deciding.
Prisoners and ex-prisoners wanted the Parole Board to think about
- what they had done to prepare to leave prison
- how they behaved
- support they will get when they leave prison
Contact
Email: paroleconsultation@gov.scot