Parole Hearings
Administration of Justice
Parole hearings are a critical part of the criminal justice system. As part of the correctional system, parole is designed to provide an opportunity for offenders to reintegrate into society in a productive way and to provide an appropriate amount of community supervision. It is a complex process that involves a range of stakeholders.
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Parole Hearings
Is your parole hearing approaching? Would you like some assistance? It is our goal to provide you with the most effective representation, advocacy, and advice possible. In addition to providing comprehensive legal representation to clients, we are able to attend parole hearings and other criminal hearings on their behalf.
As part of our risk management team, we have a former federal parole officer on our team. We are able to anticipate and prepare for the risks that opposing parties may argue about. For example, they may argue that they should be denied the right to release you or that it should be restricted. The more information we have, the easier it is for us to advocate on your behalf. This will enable you to return to your community in the shortest amount of time possible.
We want to make sure you are released from prison as soon as possible so you can return home. Researching the facts of your case and presenting compelling arguments can help you convince the parole board that it is in your best interest to release you from prison. In the past, we have been able to achieve positive outcomes for our clients by representing them before the parole board at hearings.
We can help you if you have been denied parole. You can count on us to help you take the next steps that will lead to you being able to return home. We will cover every loophole that there is no matter how many there are.
Review Your Habits
As an inmate at a federal or provincial institution in Ontario, you are likely waiting for your parole hearing date. Countdown days are probably ticking down in your head. Upon being granted parole, you will be able to serve the remainder of your sentence in the community. As soon as you are released from the institution on parole, you will be supervised by a community parole officer.
In order to ensure you are adhering to your parole conditions, your community parole officer will monitor you. There are two parole boards we represent clients at: the Parole Board of Canada and the Parole Board of Ontario.
Taking steps to reduce the likelihood that an individual will re-offend. It is crucial to note that the Parole Board of Canada is a separate entity from Correctional Service Canada, which is an independent administrative agency.
What are you doing to prevent yourself from getting parole? Discover how you can increase your parole chances by consulting our former federal parole officer. Are your habits preventing you from being granted parole? Our former federal parole officer reveals the secrets of a successful application.
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Parole Hearings
Some common information about parole hearings.
What is Federal Parole?
Under conditional release (i.e. parole), you are allowed to serve part of your sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer (PO).
On parole, you are not completely free from supervision. You can successfully reintegrate into society with the assistance of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) parole officers. In order to be released, you must comply with the conditions. The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) can revoke parole if the parole conditions are not met.
Parole Board of Canada (PBC)
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC), an independent administrative tribunal which reports to Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety, has exclusive authority, under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA), to grant, deny, and revoke parole for offenders serving sentences of two years or more.
The PBC also makes parole decisions for offenders serving sentences of less than two years in all provinces and territories except Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, which have their own parole boards.
Parole Eligibility
After completing one-third of your sentence, you are eligible for parole. Your parole eligibility date ("PED") is the date on which you are eligible for parole. You are automatically scheduled for a parole hearing if you are serving a sentence of 6 months or more. You will be informed of your PED by your Parole Officer (PO) at the beginning of your sentence. A PO will discuss your options with you 8 to 10 weeks before your PED.
In order to qualify for parole, you must serve less than 6 months of your sentence. If you need help applying for parole, your PO can assist you.
Parole is Not Guaranteed
No. Even though the Board must consider all applicants serving sentences of 6 months or more for parole before their PED, it does not mean parole will be granted. Parole is never guaranteed.
Temporary Absence
The Board has the authority to grant temporary absences for periods of 72 hours or more. You are eligible to apply for temporary absence at any time during your sentence. For more information or if you wish to apply for temporary absence, please request to speak to the Temporary Absence Coordinator at the institution and refer to the Information on Temporary Absence In Ontario sheet prepared by the Ontario Parole Board.
Options for Parole
Applicants serving sentences of six months or more are automatically considered for parole and have a right to a hearing. However, applicants also have the option to give up (waive) their right to a hearing or parole consideration.
Forfeiting Your Right to a Parole Hearing
If you have given up your right to a parole hearing (but not your right to parole consideration) you may change your mind at any time before the Board makes a decision by notifying the Board in writing through the Institutional Liaison Officer (ILO). The Board will schedule a hearing for you. If the Board has already made a decision by the time you change your mind, you will need to request a review of the decision.
Giving Up Your Right to Parole Consideration
If you have given up your right to parole consideration you may withdraw (“rescind”) your waiver at any time by notifying the Board in writing through the Institutional Liaison Officer (ILO). The Board will then schedule a parole hearing to be held within a reasonable time of the Board receiving the required documents. You may give up your right to a parole hearing, by notifying the Board in writing through the ILO.
Making Parole Decisions
Parole decisions are made by Board members either through an in-office file review (without a hearing) or a face-to-face hearing with the offender and their parole officer.
In addition to standard face-to-face hearings, offenders can request Elder-assisted hearings and community-assisted hearings. Elder-assisted hearings involve an Indigenous Elder or advisor and are held in a circle format. Community-assisted hearings also include an Indigenous Elder or advisor but are usually held in the community where the offender plans to live.
Information Used in Parole Decisions
Board members consider all relevant and available information in assessing an offender's risk to re-offend.
Information from the police, courts, Crown attorneys, mental health professionals, correctional authorities, private agencies, and victims of crime is used in assessing an offender's risk to re-offend and whether that risk can be safely managed in the community.
This information can take the form of judges' sentencing comments or recommendations, employment history, and psychological and/or psychiatric assessments, for example.
Board members also refer to actuarial assessments and risk assessment tools.
The Decision-Making Process By Board Members
The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) includes two basic principles which guide the Parole Board in its conditional release decision-making:
- That the protection of society be the paramount consideration in the determination of any case; and,
- That the Board make makes decisions that are consistent with the protection of society and that are limited to only what is necessary and proportionate to the purpose of conditional release.
The Parole Board considers two things when making conditional release decisions, whether:
- the offender will not present an undue risk to society before the end of the sentence; and
- the release of the offender will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating the offender's return to the community as a law-abiding citizen.
Risk Assessment By Board Members
- An offender's social and criminal history, any systemic or background factors that may have contributed to the offender's involvement with the criminal justice system, the reasons for and type of offence(s) including the offender's understanding of the offence and any past offences.
- Any progress made by the offender through participation in programs, their behaviour in the institution and while on previous conditional release(s).
- Actuarial assessments and risk assessment tools
- Any victim statements
- The offender's release plan and community support
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions.
Provincial Parole
Federal Conditional Releases
Federal Release Conditions
Federal Appeal Process
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Preparing for Your Hearing
Preparing for a parole board hearing in Canada can be an intimidating experience. It's important to take the time to prepare for the hearing and understand the process.
During the parole board hearing, the offender will be asked to explain their behaviour and answer questions from the board. The board will consider factors such as the offender's background, criminal record, and any rehabilitation efforts they may have taken. It is important to be honest and provide accurate information during the hearing.
Before attending the parole board hearing, it's important to be prepared. Research the parole board process and understand the different factors that will be considered during the hearing. Prepare a written statement that outlines the reasons why you believe you should be granted parole. The statement should include information about your criminal history, any rehabilitation efforts you have taken, and your plans for the future.
It’s also important to dress appropriately for the hearing. The board will be looking for someone who is taking the hearing seriously, and who is committed to living a law-abiding life. Wear formal attire and ensure you are well groomed.
Finally, it’s important to stay calm and focused during the hearing. Be prepared to answer questions and provide truthful information. Remember that the board is looking for evidence that you have changed and are ready to live a law-abiding life. By staying focused and being honest, you can increase your chances of being granted parole.