Young offenders should be told they have the right to attend their parole hearings and be offered help from an appropriate adult to prepare for them, according to a High Court ruling.
The Howard League for Penal Reform last week won a judicial review of a decision by the Parole Board that a 15-year-old offender, known as K, was unsuitable for early release.
Mr Justice McCombe quashed the board’s original decision, saying it had failed to tell K he could attend an oral hearing and did not ensure an adult assisted him with his representations.
A Parole Board spokesperson said it was arranging for the case to be re-heard.
It is also talking with the National Offender Management Service about advice for juveniles applying for parole.