Risk assessment among prisoners: a view from a Parole Board member

Abstract

In the UK sentences imposed for criminal offences may carry incentives for good behaviour or requirements for discretionary or mandatory supervision on release. Accordingly, formal systems have evolved for the assessment and direction of cases eligible for discretionary release on parole (longer fixed term sentences) or life licence (life sentenced prisoners). The relatively independent bodies-Local Review Committees and the Parole Board-were established in the late 1960s by one Home Secretary, but their role progressively restricted by subsequent holders of the office. Nevertheless, a role remains, and a psychiatric contribution is expected for many cases. This is the possibly idiosyncratic view of one psychiatrist member of the Parole Board on the use of the knowledge base on risk in this formal setting, and the process of assessment and decision making both when its applicability is high and when it is limited, principally by the rarity of some of the most serious cases.