Voices in Justice: Parole Reform in Scotland: Consultation Analysis

8. Improving understanding of the parole process (Q12–14)

Key points from Chapter 8

¨ Respondents of all types emphasised the importance of victims having a clear understanding of the parole process, including the evidence the Parole Board considers, how risk is assessed, how victims can contribute to decision-making, and the support available to victims. Victims should be kept informed throughout, and the outcome of the hearing and details of any licence conditions should be communicated clearly.

¨ There was general agreement among organisations and individuals with no experience of custody that the use of digital tools (e.g. videos, podcasts, online updates etc.) could be helpful in improving awareness and understanding of the parole process. Individuals with experience of custody were less certain about the benefits of these technologies, particularly given the lack of digital skills and access to digital tools among this group.

¨ Suggestions for improving information sharing offered by organisations and individuals with no experience of custody included a more active role for the Parole Board in communicating with the public, and encouragement for the public to become more involved in rehabilitation programmes. Suggestions for improving information sharing offered by individuals with experience of custody included increased opportunities for face-to-face meetings between victims and offenders, and work to improve the public image of parole.

8.1 The consultation paper stated the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that victims feel listened to and are fully informed when they engage with the parole process. Three questions considered how understanding and engagement could be enhanced through improvements in information sharing.

Question 12: What information do you feel is most important for victims to receive, in order to support their understanding of, and engagement with, the parole process?

Question 13: How could digital tools (e.g. videos, podcasts, online updates) be used to improve people’s understanding and experience of the parole process?

Question 14: Do you have any other suggestions for improving communication, transparency, or information sharing in the parole system?

8.2 Respondents’ views on these questions are presented below. The views of organisations and individuals with no experience of custody are discussed first, followed by the views of individuals with experience of custody.

Organisations and individuals with no experience of custody

Information to support victims’ understanding of the parole process

8.3 Question 12 asked what information would best support victims’ understanding of, and engagement with, the parole process. There was considerable overlap in the responses to Question 12 with those offered earlier at Questions 6 and 7 (see Chapter 6).

8.4 The dominant view, expressed by all victim support organisations, many justice professionals, respondents in the ‘other organisation type’ category and a range of individuals – including the family / friends of a victim – was that victims should be able to access comprehensive information on all aspects of the parole process. This would include, but not be limited to: (i) the evidence considered by the Parole Board, (ii) the reasons given for granting – or not granting – parole, (iii) the risk assessment undertaken and the safeguards which had been put in place, (iv) the offender’s behaviour in prison and the courses and programmes they attended, (v) the timelines for the parole process, (vi) how victims can contribute to the process, and (vii) the support available to victims.

8.5 A minority view, expressed mainly by family / friends of an individual in custody, was that victims should be able to access limited information only, and should be reminded that a parole hearing is not an opportunity to revisit the outcome of the original trial.

Use of digital tools in improving understanding of the parole process

8.6 Question 13 asked about the use of digital tools in improving understanding of the parole process.

8.7 There was general agreement across both organisations and individuals with no experience of custody that the use of digital tools (e.g. videos, podcasts, online updates etc.) could be helpful in improving awareness and understanding of the parole system.^[12] However, respondents raised a range of caveats and other considerations about using these types of communication channels.

8.8 Positive aspects of digital tools identified by respondents included:

• The potential to reach large numbers of people
• The accessibility of these types of formats for people who are geographically isolated, have lower literacy levels, or have specific cognitive requirements
• The ability to offer accessibility features – for example voiceovers or large font sizes – as part of these communications
• The opportunity for people to watch ‘mock parole hearings’
• The possibility of receiving updates on specific cases in ‘real time’.

8.9 Caveats raised in relation to the use of digital tools included:

• Digital tools should be viewed as additions to – not substitutes for – existing support.
• Some people may lack skills or experience in accessing digital technology.
• It is important to develop digital tools in collaboration with those who have relevant lived experience.
• It may not be feasible to make these tools available within all custody settings.
• Digital tools should not include specific real-life cases for reasons of privacy / confidentiality.

Suggestions for improvement

8.10 Question 14 asked whether respondents had any other suggestions for improving communication, transparency, or information sharing in the parole system. Suggestions included:

• Creating a ‘single centralised website’ or team to provide information and actively signpost people to further resources and specialised support
• Developing a more active role for the Parole Board – this could involve providing (separate) briefings for prison / social work staff, victims, and the media to build greater understanding and dispel misinformation around the parole system
• Ensuring all relevant staff receive appropriate trauma-informed training co-designed with victims
• Publishing anonymised statistics on the outcomes of parole hearings by local authority, gender, age, length of sentence etc., and a summary of the reasons for decisions made, to improve accountability.

Individuals with experience of custody

8.11 Questions 12, 13 and 14 in the prison questionnaire were similar (but not identical) to the online questionnaire.

Question 12: What information do victims need most to help them understand and engage with the parole process?

Question 13: How do you think things like videos, podcasts, or online updates could help people understand parole better?

Question 14: Do you have any other ideas for improving communication with victims and others about parole?

Information to support victims’ understanding of the parole process

8.12 Question 12 asked what information victims need most to help them understand and engage with the parole process.

8.13 Respondents thought victims should know about the ‘rules and regulations’ surrounding parole, and they should be offered a dedicated point of contact and / or a helpline for any support they required. If parole was granted, victims should be told about the arrangements in place to protect the victim. There were also comments to the effect that victims need to understand that if an offender gets parole this does not mean they are free, and that a parole hearing is ‘not a trial’.

Use of digital tools in improving the understanding of parole

8.14 Question 13 asked whether things like videos, podcasts or online updates could help people understand parole better. Many respondents provided very brief comments, for example: ‘not sure’, ‘could be good’, ’won’t work’, ‘all cases are different’.

8.15 The main substantive points made were that:

• Presentations can be easier to understand – many people prefer to see a video rather than read (a booklet).
• Many people – especially older people – have never been online.
• People in custody do not have access to online resources.
• It was important to protect people’s privacy and no details about specific individuals should be included in any outputs.

Suggestions for improvement

8.16 Question 14 asked for any other ideas for improving communication with victims and others about parole. Four main suggestions were made:

• There should be more opportunities for face-to-face meetings between victims and offenders. These meetings – which would also include a social worker or other relevant professional – would be held in advance of the parole hearing and give offenders the chance to show their remorse and say sorry to the victim for the harm they caused.
• Following the parole hearing, the victim could have a personal debrief with a member of the panel. This would help them understand the decision which had been made.
• A new role of ‘victim ambassador’ should be created to improve communication with victims.
• It would be worth investing in efforts to improve the image of parole in the eyes of the public (and victims), and to emphasise its role as a ‘rehabilitation tool’. This might help reduce sensationalist media coverage.