Reid wants more victims of crime to serve on parole boards

Advocates to represent the views of victims will sit on parole boards in future, the home secretary said yesterday.

In his lecture to the Parole Board for England and Wales, John Reid said he also wants more crime victims to serve on boards.

The Home Office is consulting on whether parole board decisions with serious consequences should be unanimous, he said, adding that ways of improving risk assessment are also being examined.

Reid’s speech emphasised that victims of crime should have more influence over the release of offenders from prison,

He wants to ensure that “victims or their representatives get a greater say”.