The Department of Justice announced the appointments alongside that of Paul Mageean as chief commissioner and 34 serving commissioners for a further term of office.

The new criminal justice commissioners are Louisa Fee, Mike Fowkes, Jarlath Kearney, Ciaran McQuillan, Tracey Overing and Vilma Patterson.

They will now help to make decisions on the release or otherwise of those serving extended or indeterminate sentences and in relation to the revocation of licences and recall to prison in cases where an offender is subject to post custody supervision.

Ms Fee qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and worked in general private practice until October 2017, specialising in family and criminal law.

Mr Kearney has been an Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland since 2016 and holds a Master’s degree in human rights law.

Mr McQuillan qualified as a solicitor in 1994, worked in private practice for 12 years specialising in personal injury litigation and criminal law, and is now head of the serious crime unit at the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Ms Overing qualified as a barrister in 2004, specialising in the area of children and family law while continuing to practice in other areas including criminal, matrimonial and judicial review, and has chaired the Disability Appeals Tribunals since 2014.

Mr Fowkes is a former police officer and Ms Patterson is a former construction industry chief with a range of experience on public sector boards, currently serving in roles including non-executive member of the board of the Criminal Case Review Commission.

Permanent secretary Peter May said: “These new appointments will add to the collective wealth of knowledge and experience of the commissioners.

“I also welcome back those commissioners who are being reappointed for a further term and thank them for their continued commitment to a demanding area of work.”

Mr May added: “I would also like to record my thanks to the former chief commissioner, Christine Glenn, for her personal commitment and contribution to the work of the Parole Commissioners during her time in office.”