The Parole Board has refused to move Stephen Lawrence's killer, David Norris, to an open prison, citing "significant concerns" about the danger he still poses to the public.
Parole Board Cites Lack of Sincere Change
In a redacted decision published on Tuesday, the board concluded that Norris, now 49, had "consistently minimised or denied his attitudes and behaviour" during a public hearing in October 2025. This behaviour, spanning from the time of the murder to the present day, raised major red flags about how his risk could be managed in the future.
The panel expressed serious doubts about both the extent and the sincerity of any change in Norris, despite a comparative reduction in overt racism and violence in recent years. They stated clearly that he has not made sufficient progress in addressing his risk to a level where the public would be protected, especially in the unsupervised setting of an open prison.
Norris's Evasive Testimony and Remorse Questioned
Norris, who was jailed for life in January 2012 with a minimum term of 14 years and three months, spoke about his role in the racist murder for the first time at the October hearing. He had previously denied being at the scene in Eltham, southeast London, in 1993.
Allowed to read a statement, Norris said he wanted to "express my genuine remorse for the death of the victim in my case." He added, "I will go to my grave with that guilt in my heart," and acknowledged the events of 32 years ago "should never have happened."
However, his testimony quickly became evasive. When pressed on who else was involved in the attack by five or six men that killed the 18-year-old student, Norris refused to name names. He stated, "I am not here to discuss other people," and claimed revealing identities would pose a risk to his family's safety. He would not even confirm the involvement of his co-defendant, Gary Dobson.
Family's Fury and Prison Behaviour Concerns
Stephen Lawrence's mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, who attended the hearing, branded Norris a coward. She called on the Metropolitan Police to do everything possible to get the names of all involved, stating, "This man owes me the truth and the Met owe me justice."
The Parole Board's decision was backed by prison officials, none of whom supported a move to open conditions. Norris's suitability was further undermined by his prison record. He was moved back to a Category B prison in 2022 after being caught with two mobile phones and a screwdriver in his cell.
The hearing also heard about incidents where he called a female nurse a horrific slur and was involved in clashes with Muslim prisoners. Only one witness, an independent psychologist instructed on his behalf, argued he was ready for open conditions.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board emphasised that its decisions are "solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public" and that protecting the public is its number one priority. Norris will remain in closed prison conditions.
