Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has once again reiterated the importance of improving the Parole system. Last year Dr Evans raised the case of Colin Pitchfork, and this month the case of convicted murderer Edwin Hopkins with the Justice Secretary after he was granted parole in November. Pitchfork was denied parole last year but Hopkins has been freed.
Hopkins received a mandatory life sentence in January 1987 following a conviction for the “appalling murder” of 15-year-old Naomi Smith. The initial minimum term of imprisonment, 18 years, expired in 2013 however the Parole Board chose to detain Hopkins for a further ten years.
On 23rd November 2023 the Parole Board directed for the release of Hopkins, despite pleas from the family of Naomi Smith that he remains in prison.
Dr Evans raised the case in the House of Commons on 9th January during questions to the Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, to reiterate the need for reforms which place public safety at the heart of Parole Board decision making.
The local MP, Dr Evans, raised similar concerns in the case of Colin Pitchfork, who was convicted for rape and murder in the neighbouring constituency of South Leicestershire when he was considered for parole last year.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, asked “Marcus Jones, the MP for Nuneaton, and I have both raised concerns about the release of Edwin Hopkins, the killer of schoolgirl Naomi Smith.
“Now, I know the Secretary of State can't retrospectively apply the law around parole, but can he assure my constituents and residents in neighbouring Nuneaton that the new laws in the Victim and Prisoners Bill, going through Parliament at the moment, put public safety at the heart of future Parole Board decisions?”
Alex Chalk KC, Secretary of State for Justice, responded “I'm grateful to the Member for Bosworth for raising this extremely troubling case. The murder committed by Edwin Hopkins was a truly dreadful crime and I understand the concern about the release of prisoners who've committed such heinous offences.
“The reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill do ensure that public safety is at the forefront of parole decisions, including by codifying the release test in law and introducing a new power to allow the Secretary of State to direct a second check on the release of some of the most serious offenders.”
Following his question in the House, Dr Evans MP, said “These are two horrific criminal cases and show that we must be assured public safety is the number one concern when releasing offenders. I will continue to push for these changes. The legislation coming forward can’t come soon enough!”
Marcus Jones, Member of Parliament for Nuneaton, where the murder occurred, said ”Naomi’s horrific murder shocked us all in our local community. After being contacted by Naomi’s family I have wrote to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice to ask him to look into this matter urgently for the family’s sake and to protect our local population.
“I regret that the Lord Chancellor was unable to [deny parole] in this case but I welcome his assurance in the House that the reforms in the Victims and Prisoners Bill will ensure that public safety is at the forefront of parole decisions, including by codifying the release test in law and introducing a new power to allow the Secretary of State to direct a second check on the release of some of the most serious offenders.”
