The reforms have been introduced following the case of John Worboys, the black-cab rapist.

Justice Secretary David Gauke announced that victims who offer strong grounds for a challenge will be able to make an application within 21 days for the decisions to be reconsidered, without having to seek judicial review.

The Parole Board’s decision in January last year to approve the release of Mr Worboys, on the basis he was no longer a threat to the public, was widely condemned.

He was jailed in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after he was found guilty of 19 offences against 12 passengers. Police believe he committed crimes against more than 100 women between 2002 and 2008 before being caught.

Two of his victims crowdfunded the money to fund a judicial review of the decision to release him. The High Court decided that the Parole Board should undertake a fresh determination into the case.

The board ruled that Mr Worboys should remain in prison indefinitely, following the new inquiry.

Victims’ applications for reconsideration of a decision will be assessed by a team from HM Prison and Probation Service.

If they believe there may have been a legal error or significant mistake, the decision will be passed to a senior judicial member of the Parole Board, who will decide if the case should be looked at again.

But Harriet Wistrich, the solicitor for two of Mr Worboys’ victims in the judicial review case, cast doubt on the scheme.

She said: “I am concerned about how a Ministry of Justice official will be able to determine to a judicial review standard that a decision is flawed. It does not look as if the process is sufficiently independent or there are sufficient safeguards.

“It is not a solution to Worboys-type cases. It could become even harder to bring a judicial review. I am concerned that this is just window dressing and won’t affect the ability to effectively challenge a decision.”

Mr Gauke said: “This landmark reform will for the first time empower victims to hold the Parole Board to account for its decisions and help restore public confidence in the important work that it does.”