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Parole Review Committeedeciding who is safe for release from prison

Photo courtesy of the Guernsey Press.

What does the Parole Review Committee do?

Summary

The Parole Review Committee is the independent body that makes decisions about:

  • whether prisoners are safe to be released early from prison, under strict supervision
  • whether those released on parole need to be returned to prison if they do not comply

The Committee is made up of nine members, including the Chair. Decisions are made by four members drawn from the Committee.

Responsibilities

You will be:

  • Reading and analysing complex background information
  • Meeting as a team to review cases
  • Making sound decisions that you can justify

How do you get appointed?

Appointment process

From time to time, the Committee for Home Affairs advertises for new members of the Parole Review Committee to replace people who have stood down.

To apply, you will complete an application form and will be called for an interview if you are shortlisted.

You will be required to undertake an Enhanced Police Check prior to appointment.

Parole Review Committee members are appointed by the Royal Court. Only the Chairperson is appointed by the States of Deliberation.

Exclusions

You cannot be a Parole Review Committee member if you are:

  • a deputy
  • a member of the judiciary
  • employed in the criminal justice system
  • employed by the States of Guernsey

What skills do you need?

Skills

You don’t need any formal qualifications to join the Committee. Members are appointed for the qualities and experience they can bring to the role from their own lives.

You will need to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both written and oral. 

You will need to act with integrity and deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience in undertaking risk assessments is desirable.

What support or training is there?

Support and training

There is a comprehensive training programme for all new members. 

The training will introduce you to all aspects of the criminal justice process, including prison life and the role of the probation service.

What's the time commitment?

Time commitment

Two or three afternoons a month (including reading time). The work is flexible, and you can arrange it to fit around other commitments. Meetings are scheduled five months in advance and you receive the paperwork two weeks in advance of the meeting.

You are appointed for twelve years, although you may step down at any time. You must retire after twelve years or on your 70th birthday, whichever is sooner.

Do you get paid?

Remuneration

You can claim £76 per half-day for attending meetings.

Limited expenses will be reimbursed.

Rewards and downsides

Rewards

You will be protecting the community by making important decisions on the future of people who have served the punishment part of their sentence. These decisions are vital in ensuring justice, fairness and the protection of the public.

Downsides

It is not a public facing role. The Committee meets in private and considers sensitive information which can sometime be onerous.

Where can I find out more?

More information

Go to: gov.gg/ParoleReviewCommittee.

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Corrections
 
This description of the role of Parole Review Committee member has been researched by Women in Public Life volunteers. If you spot an error, or have a question, please do let us know by emailing hello@womeninpubliclife.gg.

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Guernsey’s iconic women of the future?

Thank you for nominating a young woman or girl for our future iconic Guernsey women campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Nominations close on Sunday 6 March at 17.00.

Please fill in the details below.

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Miriam Makeba - South Africa

Nominated by: Christine James

Zenzile Miriam Makeba (1932 to 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa. In 2020 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 women of the century. 

South Africa is ranked 12th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 45.8% (source: data.ipu.org) 

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The original image “The Hague Jazz 2008 – Miriam Makeba” by Haags Uitburo is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 

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Jacinda Ardern - New Zealand

Nominated by: Martin Lock

Jacinda Ardern (born 1980) has served as prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. In 2019, she led the country through the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings, rapidly introducing strict gun laws in response, and throughout 2020 she directed the country’s widely praised response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ardern was the world’s second elected head of government to give birth in office when her daughter was born in 2018. ‘An inspiring Prime Minister who brought a nation together with true leadership, empathy and compassion.’

New Zealand is ranked 4th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 48.3% (source: data.ipu.org) 

Other iconic women: Dame Whina Cooper, nominated by Claire Fisher, and Kate Sheppard, nominated by Anna Cooper.

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