Parole refers to the ability for offenders who have been sentence to a term of imprisonment, to serve a period of this time in the community.

Before an offender is released on parole, they will be subject to a private and/or public hearing conducted by the State Parole Authority. This will depend on whether the offender is classified as a ‘serious’ or ‘non-serious’ offender under the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 (NSW) (the ‘Act’).

Before a decision on parole is made, a Registered Victim may receive notification of the following:

• When a parole order has been made;
• The conditions of the proposed parole order; and
• When conditions of parole may be varied or changed.

A Registered Victim refers to a victim of the crime of which the offender committed. For example, a victim of sexual assault may be able to register themselves on the Registered Victims registry.

Non-serious offenders:

A private hearing will take place with 5 panel members from the State Parole Authority. At this meeting, a decision will be made whether or not an offender should be granted parole (that is, serve the remainder of their imprisonment sentence in the community).

Following this private hearing, a public hearing may occur in the following circumstances:

1. If the State Parole Authority made a determination that an offender was not suitable for parole, the offender can request a hearing and make further submissions arguing why they should be granted parole; OR
2. If the State Parole Authority makes a determination that parole should be granted, a ‘Registered Victim’ can make an application for a hearing, whereby they may make submission arguing against an offender being granted parole being.

Serious offenders:

All serious offenders, as classified in the Act, will be subject to a public hearing. At this hearing, Registered Victims or the State of NSW may make submissions a to whether or not parole should be granted to the offender.

Serious offenders must also undergo a review by the Serious Offenders Review Council, whereby a report will be prepared advising of whether parole is appropriate.

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