The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, has said that the first public Parole hearing is “long overdue”.
The comments come as the Parole Board prepares to hold a hearing regarding the case of Russell Causley, who killed his wife in 1985.
Changes in the law
The public hearing follows changes in the law designed to boost public confidence in the justice system.
Parole Boards used to be held in private, but new rules that came into force in July mean that the public, press, and other interested parties are allowed to request that a case is reviewed in order to increase transparency and accountability.
Jones: Some poor decisions have been made by Parole Board in recent years
Commenting on the landmark moment, Donna Jones said,
“This is long overdue. Some poor decisions have been made by the Parole Board in recent years, including the release of Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby P who was brutally murdered by her and her partner.
“Hearings in public are vital to ensure the public know what considerations are being taken into account and why decisions have been made, including the professional assessments of the individual’s threat to the public if released.”
Jones: “Major step forward” in the overhaul of the justice system
Jones added that the first televised sentencing earlier this year was also a “major step forward” in the overhaul of the justice system.
She said,
“Allowing hearings to be held in public is another breakthrough, rightly putting victims and public protection at the heart of the justice process.
“For people to have trust in decision makers, and for victims to have confidence in our criminal justice system, open-justice like this is imperative.”
