GovWire

This guidance supports Parole Board panels in identifying when a specialist report may be required and in making directions for specialist reports. Specialist reports can include psychological and psychiatric reports, prison healthcare reports and reports from other specialist professionals.

The guidance is relevant to panels considering cases at the Member Case Assessment (MCA) stage, at the oral hearing stage, or when acting as a Duty Member. All are referred to as the panel. This guidance provides information on:

• Mental Health difficulties and the prison population;
• Personality disorder;
• The link between mental health difficulties and risk;
• Psychologists and psychiatrists;
• Specialist psychological and psychiatric reports on risk;
• Prison healthcare reports relating to mental healthcare;
• Professionals involved in preparing specialist reports;
• Guidance in directing psychological and psychiatric reports;
• Consent and engagement.