Freedom of Information (FOI)

The Board’s Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) describes the information that we publish, in what form it is published, and details of any charges for providing the information. It also contains details on how you can request information under FOISA from the Board.

As this site is developed, information released by the Board under FOISA will appear here.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (the Act) requires Scottish public authorities to produce and maintain a publication scheme. Authorities are under a legal obligation to:

• publish the classes of information that they make routinely available
• tell the public how to access the information and what it might cost.

The Parole Board for Scotland has adopted the Model Publication Scheme 2015 produced by the Scottish Information Commissioner.  Please note our scheme is currently under review but will remain in force until a new one is published. You can see this scheme on our website or by contacting us at the address below:

0131 244 8373

The purpose of this Guide to Information is to:

• allow the public to see what information is available (and what is not available) in relation to each class;
• state what charges may be applied;
• explain how to find the information easily;
• provide contact details for enquiries and to get help with accessing the information; and
• explain how to request information we hold that has not been published.

Availability and formats

The information we publish through the model scheme is, wherever possible, available on our website. We offer alternative arrangements for people who do not want to, or cannot, access the information online or by inspection at our premises. For example, we can usually arrange to send information to you in paper copy (although there may be a charge for this).

Exempt information

We will publish the information we hold that falls within the classes of information below. If a document contains information that is exempt under Scotland’s freedom of information laws (for example sensitive personal information or a trade secret), we will remove or redact the information before publication and explain why.

Copyright

Where the Parole Board holds the copyright in its published information, the information may be copied or reproduced without formal permission, provided that:

• it is copied or reproduced accurately;
• it is not used in a misleading context; and
• the source of the material is identified.

Where The Parole Board does not hold the copyright in information we publish, we will make this clear.

Charges

This section explains when we may make a charge for our publications and how any charge will be calculated.

There is no charge to view information on our website or at our premises.

We may charge for providing information to you e.g., photocopying and postage, but we will charge you no more than it actually costs us to do so. We will always tell you what the cost is before providing the information to you.

Our photocopying charge per sheet of paper is shown below:

Black and white photocopying

10 pence per sheet

Colour photocopying

20 pence per sheet

Information provided on CD-Rom will be charged at 50p per computer disc.

Postage costs will be recharged at the rate we paid to send the information to you.

When providing copies of pre-printed publications, we will charge no more than the cost per copy of the total print run.

We do not pass on any other costs to you in relation to our published information.

Contact us

You can contact us for assistance with any aspect of this publication scheme:

0131 244 8737

E-mail: ParoleBoardforScotland@gov.scot

We will also advise you how to ask for information that we do not publish or how to complain if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of this publication scheme.

You can download the full Freedom of Information Guide in PDF format.