Prisoners: Life Sentences

Lord Hylton
asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many life-sentence prisoners are being held beyond the tariff number of years set by the trial judge; whether the current risk assessments are working fairly and effectively; and whether they anticipate a reduction in the numbers of prisoners held beyond tariff. [HL1967]

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting
The information requested about the number of life sentence prisoners being held beyond the tariff expiry date is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

I am satisfied that the current risk assessments are working fairly and effectively. In recent years, a range of major improvements to risk assessments and risk-reduction measures have been introduced by prison and probation services. These include the use of actuarial risk-assessment models, the adoption of evidence-based and accredited offending behaviour programmes and improved training in risk assessment for staff.

Regular risk assessments are carried out in order to assess a life-sentence prisoner's progress and whether a life-sentence prisoner is ready to progress to a lower category prison, including open conditions, or release. The question of release is a matter for the independent Parole Board. The Parole Board makes a release decision based on whether or not it is necessary for the protection of the public for that prisoner to be confined. The main criterion governing the board's consideration is the risk of serious harm that the prisoner may pose to others.

It is not possible to anticipate the number of release directions of life-sentence prisoners on tariff expiry that the Parole Board will make.