An update on the Parole Board's transparency agenda
Background
The Rook Topolski Transparency Review was undertaken to identify what further measures the Parole Board could take to increase openness and understanding of its work. Since 2018 there have been several measures introduced to increase awareness of the parole process and to make the system more accessible including the introduction of decision summaries, parole hearings conducted in public, a BBC One documentary series and the potential for victims to observe private hearings.
These steps have all been a positive move in allowing victims, survivors and the public to better understand how and why the Parole Board makes the decisions that it does. Public protection is the number one priority of the Board but without seeing or understanding how this work is undertaken, it is difficult for people to appreciate what the Board does.
The Transparency Review
In 2025 HHJ Peter Rook and HHJ Michael Topolski undertook a review of the transparency of the Parole Board.
Following consultation across all stakeholders involved in the parole system, the Transparency Review made 34 recommendations to move progress forward and increase openness of the parole system. The Parole Board published this report in June 2025 and committed to publishing
