After court
What happens?
If an offender has been sentenced to prison, they are likely to be released at some point. Even if they have been sentenced to life imprisonment, or preventive detention, they must still be considered for parole.
If an offender has been sentenced to two years or less in prison, they must be released by law after they have served half the sentence in prison. In some cases there will be release conditions that were set when the person was sentenced.
Parole
If the offender was sentenced to more than two years in prison, they must be considered for parole after they have served one third of their sentence, unless there is a set non-parole period. Parole means that an offender is allowed back into the community to finish their sentence under certain conditions.
Time served in custody before sentencing is counted as part of an offender’s sentence, so in some cases a parole hearing could be soon after the sentencing. For more information on parole visit www.paroleboard.govt.nz.
You can make a submission, either in writing or in person and, in some cases, by videoconference, to the Parole Board outlining your views on parole and any safety concerns you have. Anyone can make a submission, but you will only be notified in advance of the hearing if you are registered with the victim notification system.
You can get help to write your submission, and may be eligible for assistance with travel costs to a Parole Board hearing. Contact Victim Support to find out more.
If you decide to make your submission in person, the Parole Board will hold a special hearing to meet with you. You will speak to the same Board members who will be seeing the offender, but the hearing you attend will not be in a prison and will not include the offender.
If you are registered with the victim notification system you will also be notified about events relating to the offender’s detention.
What support can you get?
Financial support
You may be eligible for financial assistance to attend a parole hearing. Up to five adult family members can receive up to $1,500 each towards travel costs to attend a parole hearing or videoconference for hearings from 1 November 2009 (this is $500 for hearings before 1 November 2009). Contact Victim Support to find out how to apply.
Personal support
You can arrange with the Parole Board to have support people with you at the hearing, and get personal support beforehand and at the hearing from Victim Support, or from support agencies in your area. Contact Victim Support or call the Victims of Crime Information Line to find out about support agencies that can help.
Writing your submission
You can get help to write your submission to the Parole Board from Victim Support.
Victim notification system
You can apply to join the victim notification system at any time. Talk to your police victim liaison officer or Victim Support about how to apply.
