The Parole Board for Scotland is responsible for deciding whether you may be released on parole. The Board’s main concern is the safety of the community. Therefore, decisions are not based on the type of offence committed; instead, the Board must be satisfied that the risk you present can be managed in the community.

If your case is referred to the Parole Board, a parole review dossier will be created. The information in this file will include details of previous convictions and reports from the judge who sentenced you, a prison social worker, prison staff, and a community social worker. The Parole Board will take all this information into account to decide whether you are likely to be a risk to the community if released.

The point at which the Board will consider release is determined by the original sentence imposed. Those serving lengthy sentences will wait longer before they are considered for parole.

The parole procedure also differs depending on your sentence. For example, for those serving life sentences, a tribunal hearing will be arranged, which you and your legal representative are entitled to attend. For shorter sentences, the Board will usually consider your parole case in a private meeting; however, you can make written representations for the panel to consider.