1. Home
  2. Medico-legal reports
  3. Parole Board and prison law

Expert evidence for parole and prison law cases.

Independent psychological, psychiatric and medical reports for parole reviews, IPP licence cases, transfer to hospital and compassionate release. Send the hearing date and the issues. The search is free, and we take legally aided cases, including parole reviews.

0121 752 6061 info@medicalexpertsforlawyers.co.uk

I need for case.

What you get for a parole case.

Start with the hearing date and the issues.

Experts who can report in time

You see which experts can report before the hearing, with a CV, fee and availability for each. Reports usually take 1 to 2 weeks, or 2 to 3 days when urgent. Timescales are estimates and depend on expert availability, the appointment and receipt of the relevant records.

Seen in prison

The expert can see your client in prison, or by video where that suits the question. A named case manager arranges the appointment and manages the instruction through to delivery of the report.

Legal aid and registration

Quotes come within the legal aid rates. We check experts for registration and insurance, including the HCPC registration required for forensic psychologists.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Independent reports.

Reports on risk are expert evidence before the Board, provided by HMPPS or commissioned by the prisoner (Member Guidance on Specialist Reports, paras 6.13 and 6.14). Risk assessments should be done independently, by someone not previously involved in the prisoner’s treatment or therapy (paras 6.15 and 6.18).

Put the hearing date in your enquiry, so we search for an expert who can report in time.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Which specialist.

ReportWhen the guidance points to itGuidance
Forensic psychologistIn the majority of cases where a specialist report is required. Psychologists must be registered with the HCPC to use the protected title Forensic PsychologistParas 7.3 and 5.3
PsychiatristWhere a psychiatrist’s expertise is needed to assess risk in a prisoner with a mental health difficulty, such as mental illness, including comorbid personality disorder, as a significant risk factorParas 7.3 and 7.5
Psychologist or neuropsychologistFor an assessment of intelligence and cognitive impairment, or of risk linked to learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder or acquired brain injuryPara 7.4

For a report the prisoner commissions, the panel will consider the practitioner’s qualifications (para 5.8). We check experts for registration and insurance. More on psychological evidence and forensic psychiatric evidence.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

IPP licences and recall.

The IPP licence rules changed again on 1 June 2026.

For an IPP prisoner released on licence, the qualifying period is now two years from the date of release (Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, s31A(5), as substituted by the Sentencing Act 2026, s42, from 1 June 2026). Once it has expired and the licence has then remained in force for a continuous period of two years, the Secretary of State must order that the licence ends (s31A(4H)).

On a reference, the Board must direct that the licence ends unless it is satisfied that keeping it in force is necessary for the protection of the public (s31A(4)). For a termination review or a recall, send the hearing date with the outline.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Transfer to hospital from prison.

DirectionWhat is neededSection
Transfer direction (sentenced prisoners)Reports from at least two registered medical practitioners that the prisoner is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree that makes hospital detention appropriate, and that appropriate treatment is availables47(1)
Transfer of remand and other unsentenced prisonersThe same conditions, and the prisoner is in urgent need of the treatments48(1)
Restriction directionGiven with a transfer direction where the Secretary of State thinks fit, and always for an unsentenced prisoner transferred under s48(2)(a) or (b). It has the same effect as a restriction order under section 41s49(1) and (2)

The Mental Health Act 2025 amends these sections, but most of its changes are not yet in force. See forensic psychiatric evidence.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Physical health in prison.

Compassionate release

Release on compassionate grounds needs exceptional circumstances (Criminal Justice Act 2003, s248; for life and IPP prisoners, Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, s30). A medical report on the condition and prognosis is often the core evidence, so if your client is seriously ill, say so in the enquiry.

Healthcare in custody

Claims about the medical care a prisoner received follow the usual tests of breach of duty and causation. See medical negligence expert witnesses.

Records

Once you have chosen an expert, send the prison healthcare record and any hospital records from outside visits.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Across the UK.

We find experts for parole cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland too. Tell us which board or commissioners will hear it.

England and Wales

  • The Parole Board for England and Wales, under the Parole Board Rules 2019, as amended
  • Advice and assistance under criminal legal aid covers proceedings before the Parole Board (Criminal Legal Aid (General) Regulations 2013, reg 12(2)(g)); expert costs may need prior authority

Scotland

  • The Parole Board for Scotland, under the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 2022, which apply to all cases referred from 1 April 2023
  • The expert gives evidence as a skilled witness

Northern Ireland

  • The Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland, under the Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009
  • A party who wants to call a witness must apply in writing to the chairman of the panel (r21(1))
Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061

Questions about parole and prison law evidence.

For anything else about your case, call us.

Call 0121 752 6061
Can the report be ready for the hearing?

It depends on the hearing date, so put it in the enquiry. To call the expert at an oral hearing, apply at least 12 weeks before the hearing date (Parole Board Rules 2019, r13(1)).

Can the report come from a psychologist who treated the prisoner?

Not for a risk assessment. The guidance says risk assessments should be completed by professionals not previously involved in the prisoner’s treatment or therapy (paras 6.15 and 6.18). Name the treating clinicians in the outline, and check that the expert you choose has had no part in your client’s treatment.

Will an independent report secure release?

No report can promise that. The expert’s duty is to give the panel an independent opinion on risk, whatever it shows.

Send the case. We find the experts.

  • The type of caseFamily, personal injury, criminal, immigration, employment…
  • The specialty, or the issuesIf you are not sure who you need, describe the medical questions
  • The court or tribunalAnd any directions already made about expert evidence
  • Your deadlineHearing, filing or limitation date
  • How the case is fundedLegal aid, private, CFA or insurer
Call0121 752 6061

Send a case enquiry, obtain CVs and quotes in minutes

Fields marked * are required.

Urgent case?0121 752 6061info@medicalexpertsforlawyers.co.uk

Tell us your deadline.

We send you the CVs, fees and availability of experts who can meet it.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6061