The Parole Board notes the Secretary of State for Justice’s decision not to proceed with Judicial Review proceedings. We are glad that the Secretary of State agrees with our suggestion for an independent review on victim contact in the case of John Worboys.
We also welcome the expanded the terms of reference for the Ministry of Justice’s review of the parole process to include victim communication, transparency, and how Parole Board decisions could be reconsidered.
We think this is a sensible course of action to take to make sure that the public and especially victims have confidence in the Parole Board’s work.
Justice needs to be seen to be done and the Canadian model for victim contact could provide a good starting point.