ABSTRACT
Both the rationale for and the practice of parole in England are contested matters. The consequence of the administrative grant of parole is to ameliorate to a greater or lesser extent the judicial penalty carefully imposed at the time of sentence having regard to the individual circumstances of the offence itself and of the offender. While the original sentence is unaffected, the offender regains his freedom. This chapter provides a detailed description and evaluation of the current work of the Parole Board in England and Wales, and considers the extent to which Christian principles of mercy, justice, forgiveness, repentance and rehabilitation play a role in the process, whether overtly or otherwise. It sets out some conceptual distinctions between the parole process and the judicial sentencing exercise, and examines the potential impact of the media and public opinion generally on decisions made by Parole Board panels.
