Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Head of Parole Board lectures at Leeds Law School
Professor Hardwick (pictured), the Chair of the Parole Board for England and Wales, explored the legal and moral issues surrounding the treatment of those who have committed the most heinous crimes – offences for which in the past they might have been hanged.
One of the most highly-debated cases in recent times has been the proposed release of black-cab rapist John Worboys, jailed in 2009 for a minimum term of eight years for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers.
Ahead of his lecture They Would Have Been Hanged at the University’s Leeds Law School, Professor Hardwick said: “The Parole Board was established 50 years ago following the abolition of capital punishment.
“But as the controversy over the decision to release John Worboys shows, there is anger and confusion about how we treat those who have committed the worst offences and the Parole Board’s role in deciding if they are safe to release.
“We need an honest and frank discussion of these issues and I am grateful for the opportunity Leeds Law School is giving me to contribute to that debate in this lecture.”
Professor Hardwick, who was previously Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, has close ties with Leeds Beckett and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University in 2016.
Deveral Capps, Dean, Leeds Law School, said: “I am delighted that Professor Hardwick was able to take time out of his busy schedule to deliver a Law in Practice lecture at Leeds Law School and talk so openly about some of the issues facing our criminal justice system.
"His talk went down really well and it was great to hear about all of the work he does with Leeds Beckett. We look forward to welcoming him back soon.”