Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Proposes Comprehensive Improvement Plan for Parole System Without Favoritism Controversy

Minister Park Beom-gye: "I Fully Agree with Representative So's Remarks"

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeong-cheol (Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye Gap, Judiciary Committee) emphasized active consideration of four alternatives related to the parole system: ▲quantification and measurement of parole decision factors ▲composition of the committee with external experts to ensure objectivity and neutrality ▲granting parole application rights to inmates ▲guaranteeing victims' rights to submit opinions on parole.

At the Ministry of Justice’s audit on the 5th, So said about last month’s Ministry of Justice announcement that "it is necessary to expand parole review opportunities and ease the acceptance rate," calling it "a very appropriate announcement."

The parole release rate increased by 7.8% compared to five years ago in 2016 (25.1%), and as of August this year, about 32.9% of approximately 18,000 released inmates, or about 5,900 people, were released on parole.

Additionally, parole for inmates released with less than 70% and less than 80% sentence execution rates has also shown an increasing trend over the past five years.

Regarding this, So stated, "The correctional parole system is moving in the right direction," but added, "However, some concerns about transparency and preferential treatment regarding parole expansion exist, so efforts for institutional improvement are necessary."

He then presented four alternatives for improving the parole system.

First, he explained the need to quantify parole requirements by indexing and weighting each factor objectively.

So said, "If parole requirements are quantified, correctional authorities can be free from controversies over preferential parole, and inmates can predict parole eligibility based on their behavior in correctional facilities, which will also aid rehabilitation."

As a second alternative, So proposed forming the committee with external members to ensure neutrality and objectivity.

This approach involves external members leading the committee professionally and objectively, while opinions from correctional officers and related personnel serve as reference materials during the review.

Third, he suggested allowing inmates to apply for parole review and granting them opportunities for re-examination if rejected.

This is expected to guarantee inmates' procedural rights and secure fairness and transparency in the review process.

As a fourth alternative, he emphasized, "Victims and witnesses should be given opportunities to submit opinions and various views should be sufficiently heard," adding, "In parole reviews, the opinions of all parties related to the inmate’s crime can comprehensively assess the inmate’s social reintegration and whether our society is ready to accept it."

The system of hearing opinions from victims, witnesses, investigative agency officials, and civic groups for parole review already exists in some states in the UK and the US, and in the UK, victims can also appeal parole decisions.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye fully agreed with So’s alternatives, stating, "It is time to reconsider all the positive meanings of parole together, and there is a high need to increase the parole rate and enhance crime prevention effectiveness amid the COVID-19 situation," and added, "I will take a deep interest in improving the system by introducing quasi-judicial procedures from the initial parole application process to the parole review committee’s examination as mentioned by Representative So."

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