Parole | Series 2 Preview (BBC Two)

With unique access to Britain’s Parole Boards and prisoners, Parole returns to BBC Two and iPlayer this autumn with a second series.

Every year in England and Wales, around 16,000 of the potentially most dangerous criminals are considered for parole and around 4,000 convicted criminals are released back into society. It is up to the 321 members of the Parole Board to decide who gets released from prison. Parole puts the viewer at the centre of each Parole Board hearing

This second series will also hear from prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences. IPP prisoners have no confirmed end date to their sentence, and can only be considered for release through a Parole Board hearing where the Board must balance the need for public safety against each IPP prisoners case for release.

Filmed over several months, this brand new series puts the British justice system back under the spotlight and highlights the debate around crime and punishment, reform, rehabilitation, repentance and morality through rare filmed access to Parole Boards from across England & Wales.

In the first episode, Martin murdered his friend 18 years ago. Will the Parole Board move him to an open prison where he will come into contact with the public, or does a serious incident whilst in custody prove he's still a risk?

Martin says, “I took a human life, premeditated, I thought about it, I went out and did it so I'm capable of doing it again”.  Now a dedicated Buddhist, he uses meditation and therapy to try and keep his aggression under control.

A Parole Board member sums up the challenges of Martin’s case, “Has he changed… or is the old Mr Jones just lurking under the surface and potentially ready to emerge?”

Meanwhile 50 year old Kevin needs to persuade the panel he is no longer a threat to the authorities following an attack on two police officers.  Kevin says, “It did surprise me I did that kind of damage with one strike, it was an instinct lash out”.

Kevin points towards his past as the root cause of his anti-authority attitude but can he convince the panel, despite previous assault convictions, that he is able to avoid violent altercations?

Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning, Documentaries says: “The deep access in this series gives viewers a privileged front row seat at the heart of our parole system. The decision to release or detain is a complex and high stakes call with profound consequences for all involved - victims, prisoners, their families and the wider public. How do you decide what is true, what is fair and what is safe?”

Parole returns Wednesday 25th September on BBC Two.