The Parole Board Rules
In dealing with a prisoner’s case, the Board may take into account any matter which it considers relevant including any of the following matters:-

• the nature and circumstances of any offence of which that person has been convicted or found guilty by a court of law;
• that person’s conduct since the date of his/her current sentence(s);
• the likelihood of that person committing any offence or causing harm to any other person if he/she were to be released on licence, remain on licence or be re released on licence as the case may be;
• what that person intends to do if he/she were to be released on licence, remain on licence or be re-released on licence, as the case may be, and the likelihood of his/her fulfilling those intentions; and
• any written information or documents or written representations which the Scottish Ministers or the person concerned has sent to the Board or which the Board has otherwise obtained.

The Rules provide for prisoners having access to reports and other information contained in their review dossiers, with suitable safeguards in non-tribunal cases for the withholding of information that Scottish Ministers or the Board considers it would be damaging to disclose. The Rules also prescribe the procedures for tribunals.