When considering whether to release a prisoner on parole, the Parole Board considers each case on its own merits taking into account:
- the interests and safety of the community;
- the rights of the victim;
- the remarks of the sentencing Judge;
- the needs of the prisoner;
- the prisoner’s insight as to the causes of his or her offending behaviour; and
- the prisoner’s attitude and motivation for change.
The following is a guide to the factors taken into consideration by the Parole Board:
- the nature and circumstance of the offence(s);
- comments made by the sentencing Judge when imposing sentence;
- the prisoner’s criminal history and patterns of offending;
- the prisoner’s previous history of supervision in the community;
- the possibility of the prisoner re-offending while on parole and the nature of the offence(s) they could commit;
- the risk of harm to the community and the victim;
- release plans, including accommodation and employment;
- reports, assessments and recommendations made by a variety of professionals;
- rehabilitation and educational courses undertaken by the prisoner;
- reports about the prisoner’s behaviour while in prison;
- the security rating of the prisoner within the prison;
- victim’s safety, welfare and whereabouts;
- representations made by the victim or by persons related to the victim;
- submissions made by the prisoner, their family, friends, legal representative, potential employers or any other relevant individuals; and
- whether the prisoner can be appropriately supervised in the community.
The Parole Board makes decisions based on written reports and submissions without the prisoner being present.
Section 3G of the Parole Act gives the Chairperson the authority to require the attendance of a prisoner, however this is rarely used.
