Before Parole is Considered

Prisoners who want to be considered for release on parole should demonstrate good behaviour in prison and participate in relevant treatment, training and employment programs to the greatest extent possible.

Participation and completion of relevant programmes in prison is considered favourably by the Board as this is likely to reduce the risk to the safety of the community by providing the prisoner with alternatives to offending. Prisoners need to demonstrate gains from the treatment programmes to improve their prospects for parole.    

A sound parole plan is essential. Prisoners need to provide the names and relationships of people who will support them on release. Support doesn’t simply mean a list of people they know, it means being in touch with individuals or organisations in the community who can realistically offer assistance to develop stable accommodation, employment or another way of having structured days which does not involve re-offending.

The parole plan should provide details of employment or training arranged for release. Letters of confirmation of employment should be attached to the parole plan, or details of how they propose to seek employment or training. Voluntary work is also considered part of a good parole plan - particularly in the absence of either paid work or further training or education. The idea of a sound parole plan is to help create a structured daily life, and avoids the triggers for re-offending.

Last updated: 10-Feb-2020

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