Parole hearings will soon take place in public in a major victory for The Sun
PAROLE hearings will soon take place in public in a major victory for a campaign by The Sun.
Some cases will be opened up on request if it is deemed to be in the interests of justice.
The move will lift the veil of secrecy in cases such as that of black cab rapist John Worboys who was freed behind closed doors in 2018 until the High Court overturned the ruling.
The rule change will be introduced this year but the Ministry of Justice warned most cases will still be heard in private.
Under the new system, hailed the “first step to openness”, anyone can ask for a public hearing. The final decision rests with the chair of the Parole Board.
It is unlikely they will give the go-ahead if there is any chance of upsetting victims.
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Justice Minister Lucy Frazer told The Sun: “The Government wants victims to be allowed to attend parole hearings if they wish.
“However, we appreciate many would find a public hearing distressing. Our ongoing review will consider how to achieve victim attendance so that they can see first-hand how decisions have been reached in a comfortable and supportive setting.”
She added that it would remain at the discretion of the board what information could be disclosed and reported.
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