Mentally disordered offenders in England and Wales and the parole process.

This paper examines the plight of mentally disordered offenders who are considered by the parole board. Offenders with mental health problems are often regarded with trepidation, fear and stereotypical judgments. Such offenders are also subjected to media sensationalism, which influences public policy and legislation. This research arose out of the increased focus by the public, government and professions, in England and Wales, on whether parole board decisions, and the risk assessments that inform those decisions, protected the public sufficiently, in the light of a number of inquiries into serious further offences.