We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the UK Government, the Ministry of Justice, and the Parole Board to review and reform laws regarding parole eligibility for individuals convicted of murder who are detained solely in secure mental health institutions.

This petition is prompted by the case of Stuart Diamond, convicted of the murder of Christopher Hartley in Blackpool, who has never spent any time in mainstream prison custody and has been detained exclusively in a secure mental health facility.

Under current law, it is possible for someone convicted of murder to seek parole without ever serving a day in a conventional prison, provided they are deemed fit for release from a mental institution. This creates a significant gap in the justice system: if an individual is considered fit to live in the community, it logically follows that they are also fit to serve time in mainstream prison before parole.

What This Petition Seeks

We respectfully request that legislation and parole guidelines be amended to ensure that:

No individual convicted of murder may be considered for parole unless they have first served a period in mainstream prison custody, even if detained in a secure mental health institution

Mental health treatment remains available and ongoing, but does not replace custodial punishment for homicide

Victims’ families are protected from repeated parole considerations for offenders who have not served any prison time

Sentencing outcomes for murder reflect both treatment needs and the seriousness of the crime

Statement of Public Interest

While mental health care is vital for the rehabilitation of offenders, it must not replace the core principle of accountability for serious crimes such as murder. Allowing parole without prison time undermines justice, erodes public confidence, and places additional emotional strain on victims’ families.

This reform would ensure that offenders who are considered fit for release from mental institutions first experience the responsibility and consequences of conventional prison custody, maintaining fairness and proportionality in sentencing.

Call to Action

We urge lawmakers and justice authorities to amend sentencing and parole law so that individuals convicted of murder cannot seek parole unless they have served time in mainstream prison custody, even if they are also detained in a secure mental health facility.

By signing this petition, you are supporting justice, accountability, and fairness for victims and their families.