The appeal against child murderer double child-killer and rapist Colin Pitchfork was one of 32 reconsiderations ministers have attempted to trigger under a ruling introduced in 2019
Only a quarter of government appeals against Parole Board decisions to release serious offenders have been successful, it can be revealed.
The appeal against child murderer double child-killer and rapist Colin Pitchfork was one of 32 reconsiderations ministers have attempted to trigger under a ruling introduced in 2019.
But only eight of those cases have led to the Parole Board changing its mind about the release of a prisoner.
A Parole Board spokesman said: 'Applications for reconsideration will only be merited where there is a clear likelihood that the process may have been procedurally or legally flawed.
'It will not apply to decisions which are unpopular but have nevertheless clearly been carried out strictly in line with the lawful requirements and normal standards of practice.
'The vast majority of offenders considered have committed a serious sexual or violent offence, so every decision is taken with extreme care with public protection our top priority.'
The Government will publish a review on the way parole operates later this year.
Pitchfork will not be placed on the sex offenders register when he walks free in a matter of days – to the outrage of one of his victim's relatives.
The 61-year-old has been cleared for release from an open prison and is eligible to go on the list, which was introduced in 1997.
Anybody on the register must notify police of any change in personal circumstances – including a name change.
Colin Pitchfork, 61, (pictured on day release), will be kept off the sex offenders register
Despite the sex register decision, probation officers will still monitor the killer. But the relatives of teenage victims Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth fear this will not be enough.
They argue that Pitchfork, who has been using the name David Thorpe for
