The Honourable Mr Justice (David) Calvert-Smith has been appointed as the new Chair of the Parole Board today.

Sir David Calvert-Smith has been a High Court Judge in the Queen?s Bench Division since 2004 and was a Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit from 2006 to 2010. He served as the Director of Public Prosecutions from 1998 to 2003.
 
The Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke said:
 
'I am delighted to announce Sir David?s appointment as Chair of the Parole Board. His knowledge and experience will be invaluable in providing leadership and strategic direction to the Parole Board, so it can perform effectively its important role in assessing prisoners for possible release into the community.'
 
The Parole Board makes risk assessments about prisoners to decide who may safely be released into the community or makes recommendations for their transfer to open prison conditions.