Dominic Raab wants parole board chiefs to have a police background in major shake-up

ONE in three parole board chiefs who decide whether to let out sick murderers or rapists will have to have a police background in a major shake-up.

The Justice Secretary will today announce a major recruitment drive of ex-detectives and police chiefs to stop softies letting out people who go on to commit more crimes.

Dominic Raab wants to double the number of parole board members with policing experience to 50 by the end of the year with a national recruitment push.

He will bring forward new laws so former police officers will have to sit on "top tier" cases like those jailed for rape, murder, terror, or the death of a child.

The new laws are expected to come forward as part of the Victims Bill - expected to come to the Commons in the coming weeks.

They will also bring forward tougher release tests for parole prisoners and new powers for the Justice Secretary to block the release of dangerous offenders.

Ministers hope they will be in place by the end of the year.

It is hoped putting ex-coppers on the boards will toughen up the system and flag potential reoffenders ahead of time, as they have first-hand experience of the risks they could pose.

Mr Raab said last night: "The public want to know that parole decisions are being made by those with good insight into offenders’ behaviour like police officers and detectives.

"Their first-hand experience and understanding of risk will give parole boards an even greater focus on public protection and make our streets safer.”

Ministers have already tightened up criteria for moving higher-risk offenders from high risk into open prisons.