# Expedited Parole Board Review - s47/49 patients

**URL:** <https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372>\
**Category:** Other\
**Created:** [24 March 2026 14:42 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372 "2026-03-24T14:42:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rob\_Beech](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@Rob\_Beech](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Rob_Beech)\
**Post date:** [24 March 2026 14:42 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372/1 "2026-03-24T14:42:39Z")

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Afternoon,

I have a recollection of there being an expedited process for the Parole Board reviewing cases for s47/49 patient’s whose discharge pathway is via hospital.

Is anyone able to point me in the right direction of information relating to this? Google and other websites haven’t been very helpful so far.

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**Author:** ![ZacSussex](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/z/e8c25b/32.png) [@ZacSussex](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/ZacSussex)\
**Post date:** [24 March 2026 15:09 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372/2 "2026-03-24T15:09:34Z")

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I think it’s gone from being a pilot to being standard practice. I’ve taken this from [Parole Board Guidance - Listing Prioritisation Framework for Oral Hearings](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67cb06df3f8b61c757fa005a/Oral_Hearing_Listing_Prioritisation_Framework __LPF__ V5_-_March_2025.pdf)

> Prisoners in a mental health setting

> 8.4 The Board will automatically prioritise, irrespective of the date the review  
> was due or review type, the following cases:
> 
> - Any prisoner residing within a secure hospital setting or mental health  
> unit
> - Any prisoner where it is their first review by the Parole Board after  
> discharge by a Mental Health Tribunal and they have been returned to  
> prison

> 8.5 The case will be listed once it is marked ready to list and will take account  
> of the availability of the required witnesses.

This is also found at 6.4 & 6.5 of the [Paper Hearing Guidance](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67caf1153f8b61c757fa0042/Paper_Review_Prioritisation_Framework __PRPF__ v2.0_March_2025.pdf)

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**Author:** ![RJ53](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@RJ53](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/RJ53)\
**Post date:** [24 March 2026 15:24 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372/3 "2026-03-24T15:24:28Z")

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There is no formal expedited or fast-track process for S47/49 patients being considered for discharge through the Parole Board for England and Wales.  
In practice, cases are progressed the usual route:  
The RC identifies clinical readiness for discharge  
a A request is made to the Public Protection Section of the MOJ  
b PCS decides whether to refer the case to the Parole Board  
c The Parole Board then lists the case giving priority where the patient is discharge- ready  
Where to access information:  
a MOJ Guidance on Retricted Patients (MHA 1983)  
b Parole Board Rules 2019  
c Parole Board Listing Priority Framework  
d Mental Health Act Code of Practice ( restricted patients sections)  
e Justice Committe reports on parole delays and hospital transfers.

RAJEN JUSSUN  
RMN. RNLD. LLB

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**Author:** ![LauraJanes](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@LauraJanes](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/LauraJanes)\
**Post date:** [24 March 2026 17:09 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/expedited-parole-board-review-s47-49-patients/5372/4 "2026-03-24T17:09:16Z")

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Yes, there is an accelerated process which was piloted from 2019 and fully adpoted in June 2024. The Parole Board is currently updating guidance but some of the current process is here. Essentially, there are specialist parole board members that deal with these cases and they are prioritised.

[Parole Board, ‘Guidance on Restricted Patients and the Mental Health Act’ (v1.0, October 2020)](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/Parole_Board,_%27Guidance_on_Restricted_Patients_and_the_Mental_Health_Act%27_(v1.0,_October_2020))
