The safety of the community and the rights of victims are one of the key issues the Parole Board considers when assessing a request for parole.
The Northern Territory Charter for Victims of Crime sets standards for the treatment of victims and lists the services that are available in the community.
Discussion with the victim/s or their family is important for the Probation and Parole Officer to be able to complete an accurate and complete parole report, especially for violent or sexual offenders.
All information provided by victims is strictly confidential.
If you are a victim of crime and wish to be advised when the offender is being considered for parole you can register on the Northern Territory Victims’ Registers with the Crime Victims’ Services Unit.
Even if a victim is not registered, the Probation and Parole Officer will attempt to contact them or their family as the inclusion of victim information in the parole report is required.
The victim/s, their family or their representative are able to provide information either to the Probation and Parole Officer for their report or they may provide a separate statement to the Parole Board - it is their choice.
If a victim/s or their representative has been spoken to during the parole application process or has submitted a statement to the Parole Board, they should be told of the Parole Board’s decision if they request it.
If the prisoner is not released to parole (at this time) the victim/s or their representative should be contacted when any further applications for parole are made by the prisoner.
The Parole Board has a member who ‘represents the interests of victims of crime’.
Confidential support for victim/s and their family is available through Victims of Crime NT, for more information on their services go to the Victims of Crime website.
Free counselling for victims and their families is available through Anglicare across the NT. Please contact them on 1800 898 500, or on visit the Anglicare website.