This is a very good book. McKeon not only explains the system, but tells the life experiences of the incarcerated and parole-worthy.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All the best to the author.

This book is so well written, all due to the author knowing the subject matter on a personal level! Anyone who likes a true to life story will love this book, the Parole Board and Justice system inside operations is explained in great detail.
Imagine having to decide if a prisoner is ready to be released? There is a lot to consider when you are faced with high level criminals.
I loved the author’s writing style and the descriptive method used provides the reader with background information to consider what shapes a person’s choices.
The justice system is complex and open to different interpretations. The author is to be commended for his dedication and commitment to ‘getting it right’, being impartial, respectful and nonjudgmental is a special skill that not many have!

Huge appreciation and thanks to Quarto Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for releasing an Informative and engaging book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rob McKeon’s *Parole* offers a rare and insightful look into the high-stakes world of parole decisions, where the future of both prisoners and public safety hang in the balance. As a seasoned member of Britain’s parole board and a central figure in the BBC’s documentary *Parole*, McKeon provides an unparalleled view into the moral, legal, and emotional complexities involved in deciding whether a prisoner should be released back into society.

The heart of *Parole* lies in McKeon’s firsthand experiences over the course of 12 years. He presents a sobering portrait of the parole board’s work, balancing empathy for prisoners’ rehabilitation journeys with the heavy responsibility of ensuring public safety. Readers are introduced to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of parole hearings, offering a raw, unvarnished look at what it means to judge whether a person has truly changed.

One of the key themes McKeon explores is the inherent uncertainty of predicting human behavior. The question he continually confronts is: *How can you predict the future when you don’t know what you don’t know?* This existential dilemma runs throughout the book, capturing the challenges of decision-making in a world where the stakes are extraordinarily high, and the outcomes unpredictable. McKeon does not shy away from the psychological toll of these decisions, and his candid reflections highlight the weight that parole board members carry.

What sets *Parole* apart is its blend of human stories and procedural detail. McKeon doesn’t merely outline the technicalities of parole hearings; he invites readers into the minds of those involved—prisoners, victims, and parole board members alike. The cases McKeon discusses are both compelling and morally complex, raising questions about justice, redemption, and risk. His writing is measured and thoughtful, avoiding sensationalism while maintaining the tension that naturally accompanies these life-altering decisions.

Beyond the individual cases, *Parole* also highlights broader issues within the criminal justice system, such as public perception, media scrutiny, and the challenges of prisoner rehabilitation. McKeon is honest about the pressures that parole board members face, particularly when handling high-profile or controversial cases. His reflections reveal how difficult it is to strike a balance between compassion and caution, offering readers a deeper appreciation of the intricacies involved in these decisions.

In sum, *Parole* is a must-read for those interested in the inner workings of the criminal justice system and the personal toll of making decisions that can irrevocably change lives. Rob McKeon’s insider perspective, combined with his thought-provoking reflections, make this book an engaging and enlightening exploration of the delicate balance between justice, safety, and human dignity.

I worked for over 20 years in Federal Prisons in the United States. I remember well escorting prisoners to parole hearings. The preparation some did beforehand, and the exact opposite others did. I remember the anxiety MOST inmates felt going into the hearings. At times you could literally see them shaking, sweating, hyperventilating as they waited. Oftentimes, it was when I would actually see the "convict" face dissolve, and see the men as having the same emotions and feelings as I, expressions that at all other times were deeply, deeply masked and concealed.
I always wondered exactly how the Parole Board made their decisions. Sometimes it seems that the hearing was just a formality, that they already had their minds made up before the hearing. Other times I would find myself impressed with the inmate, and their preparation and forethought. And with the questions the Board members asked.
Thanks to NetGalley giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of McKeon's book, I now have answers. Even though he worked in British prisons, I believe the same thoughtfulness and reasoning would apply here in the United States. I was impressed with how he dug into a prisoner's background and their conduct while in prison, as well as their plans if released. After all, he really needed to get it right....no one would ever want to be the person who released an inmate who went right back out and committed some heinous crime.
I guess the bottom line is, most inmate's will be released someday. Those released on parole are hopefully as well vetted as the one's McKeon dealt with.
I liked this book, quite a lot. I learned a great deal. I like the author's style of writing, his thoughtfulness, and his ability to explain. It's a very good book!

This was a really informative read for me to discover more about the parole boards, their impact and what happens behind the scenes,

Really interesting read. I've always had an interest in true crime and prisons etc and have wondered how it is decided which prisoners can be released and not others. It was really good to read a first hand account of how the system works. The author seems like a really caring and sympathetic guy but at the same time really fair and careful with the decisions he makes.

Extremely informative and interesting look at the authors career as a ‘decider’ at parole hearings and also a wider look at the the workings of the Parole board and what it does and hopes to do and what happens when goes right…and when it goes wrong
Really enjoyed the writing style and the stories and made a very insightful read

Rob McKeon’s “Parole” offers a behind-the-scenes look at the parole process, shedding light on the complex decisions that impact prisoners, victims, and society. McKeon’s experience as a Parole Board member brings authenticity and depth to the narrative, making it both informative and engaging. The book’s strength lies in its ability to humanize the often opaque world of parole hearings, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the stakes involved. While some sections feel repetitive, the overall insight and real-life cases make it a worthwhile read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Parole is an interesting insight into the workings of the criminal justice system. A recommended read.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of “Parole” for an honest review.

I enjoyed the Tv programme that Rob McKeon appeared on so I was really interested to read this book, that gave more insight into the process and procedures behind whether someone can be granted parole or not..I must admit when watching the program , I would have struggled to make the decisions ..The book was thought provoking and very interesting. He , and others on the parole boards , have to make decisions “ Without fear and favour” , that can have very serious repercussions if proved wrong.
Definitely worth a read .

I really enjoyed this well written and engaging insight into the work of the parole board, which really clarified for me how parole works, and was an interesting insight into the justice system and the possibility for rehabilitating serious offenders.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Insightful…
Interesting and insightful look into the system of Parole and written by a member of the Parole Board. Whilst outlining the system itself, how it works and functions as well as how it is meant to be, the author delves into specific cases along the way whilst lifting the apparent veil of secrecy seemingly attached to the system as a whole.

I found Parole by Rob McKeon to be very interesting and thought provoking. I'm one of those people that didn't really know much at all about how a parole board functions and how they make their decisions so I was the perfect audience for this book. It was fascinating to read about different types of cases and all the information and thought processes that goes in to actually making the decision about a prisoner's release. I hadn't even known that the parole board sits as a court in it's own right, I though it was just a team meeting type scenario. So I have really learned a lot from this book. There were several references to the TV programme about the parole board that this author was involved in that I will now go and watch.

An excellent insight into the world of the Parole Board. I watched the BBC documentary and remember Rob McKeon, I thought he came over on the programme as somewhat stern and felt he could have demonstrated more empathy towards the people he was dealing with. This book completely changed my view of him, and the work of the parole service in general.
Rob is an excellent writer, he expresses himself extremely well. He deals with matters factually, but at the same time, shows his understanding and compassion for people who find themselves in prison (something which did not come across in the documentary). He is also extremely mindful of victims and their families. He explains very well the parole process and his role. He explains the limitations of the system and proposes possible changes.
A fascinating book which I highly recommend for anyone interested in this area.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book! The behind the scenes of a parole board is fascinating. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the criminal justice system.

A really insightful and interesting book, I read it in one day. It has just the right amount of detail combined with interesting cases. It doesn't bog you down with too much technical or legal language.

This is a really interesting book giving the experience of someone working within parole. The author shares some useful detail about the procedures that take place, and the role of different professionals within the process. The book also offers a range of case studies covering various issues relevant to parole. The author is very honest and transparent about what he has learnt along the way, but does not censure mistakes and issues which is refreshing. I would recommend the book to those interested in the criminal justice system, as both a reference as well as a biography of the authors career.

Rob McKeon is an independent member of the Parole Board and has reviewed the cases of over 5000 prisoners. It is his, and his colleagues, responsibility to consider whether a prisoner is safe to be released, and how well they will be monitored and managed in the community.
This book takes us through some of Rob’s past cases and gives us insight in to what is considered before a prisoner is let out of prison.

The Parole Board typically deal with serious assault, sexual offences, terrorism, gang related crime and organised crime. Rob reinforces the belief that the UK has on rehabilitation and not focusing on punishment, and quite surprisingly to me, the number of prisoners released by the parole board who go on to be accused of a further serious offence is less than one per cent.

Rob tackles questions like:
Is the UK soft on crime?
Should life mean life?
Do violent criminals deserve a second chance?

I really enjoyed this and found it very interesting. My husband was a prison chef for a long time, ultimately leaving because of pay and hours, and not because he didn’t like the job, or build bonds with the prisoners. I could never understand how he could work with such people (it was a sex offenders prison), and this book helped me gain a better perspective of how people end up in prison, and the benefits to be had by treating them with respect and the human rights they deserve. Sadly, childhood trauma, mental health and substance abuse feature a lot.

Rob explains how he has to put aside moral judgement, have empathy and remain impartial, essentially making very difficult, and sometimes unpopular decisions. A huge hats off to him, I don’t think many people possess those skills.

I found Keith’s story fascinating and was pleased how the negativity of Covid changed the hearing process for the better, improving technology and resulting in more cases being heard, without the quality of those cases being impacted.

I’d definitely recommend, it’s eye opening just how much work, and thought, really does go in to the rehabilitation of offenders. I was genuinely under the impression they just opened the door and kicked them out like you see on the television!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for my advanced copy.

Having watched the series Parole on the television, this was a very interesting and insightful book to read. It was good to read more about the different types of cases that the parole board deal with and what goes on behind the scenes to help them conclude whether someone gets parole or not.