The primary function of the Parole Commissioners is to have due regard to:
a) the need to protect the public from serious harm; and
b) have regard to the desirability of:
(i) securing the rehabilitation of offenders; and
(ii) preventing the commission of further offences by prisoners.
Life Sentence, ICS, ECS and DCS prisoners are released on licence conditions and are subject to recall.
Life Sentence Prisoners
Life sentence prisoners who are released will be subject to licence conditions which will remain in place for the rest of their lives.
The Department of Justice, or, in the case of matters of national security, the Secretary of State, will submit a request for a recommendation for the revocation of a life licence based on evidence of an increase in the risk of serious harm to the public.
A Commissioner will make a recommendation to either recall the prisoner to prison or not. This recommendation is sent to the Department of Justice who will make the final decision.
Once a prisoner has been recalled to prison his case is referred to the Parole Commissioners to consider his re-release.
Indeterminate Custodial Sentence (ICS) Prisoners
ICS prisoners who are released will be subject to standard licence conditions as well as bespoke conditions prescribed by the Department of Justice, which will remain in place for at least 10 years after the release date and potentially for the rest of their lives. An offender is liable for recall to custody during the licence period.
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) acting on behalf of the Department of Justice, will submit a request for a recommendation for the revocation of an ICS licence on the basis of evidence of an increase in risk of serious harm to the public.
The Commissioner will make a recommendation to either recall the prisoner to prison or not. This recommendation is sent to the Public Protection Branch in the Department of Justice who will make the final decision.
Once a prisoner has been recalled to prison his case is referred to the Parole Commissioners to consider his re-release.
Extended Custodial Sentence (ECS) Prisoners
ECS prisoners who are released will be subject to standard licence conditions as well as any bespoke conditions prescribed by the Department of Justice, which will remain in place for the period set by the Court – the licence period. An offender is liable for recall to custody during the licence period.
The PBNI acting on behalf of the Department of Justice, will submit a request for a recommendation for the revocation of an ECS licence on the basis of evidence of an increase in risk of serious harm to the public.
The Commissioner will make a recommendation to either recall the prisoner to prison or not. This recommendation is sent to the Public Protection Branch in the Department of Justice who will make the final decision.
Once a prisoner has been recalled to prison his case is referred to the Parole Commissioners to consider his re-release.
Determinate Custodial Sentence (DCS) Prisoners
DCS prisoners are released at the end of their custodial period without reference to PCNI and are subject to standard licence conditions as well as any bespoke conditions prescribed by the Department of Justice, which will remain in place for the period set by the Court – the licence period. An offender is liable for recall to custody during the licence period. If recalled, an offender may have to serve the rest of their sentence in custody.
The PBNI acting on behalf of the Department of Justice, will submit a request for a recommendation for the revocation of a DCS licence on the basis of evidence of an increase in risk of harm to the public.
The Commissioner will make a recommendation to either recall the prisoner to prison or not. This recommendation is sent to the Public Protection Branch in the Department of Justice who will make the final decision.
Once a prisoner has been recalled to prison his case is referred to the Parole Commissioners to consider his re-release.