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Adult Parole Board of Victoria

The Adult Parole Board of Victoria (the Board) plays an important role in the Victorian criminal justice system by managing the appropriate release of offenders on parole for the benefit of the Victorian community.

The Youth Parole Board is a separate body and operates under the auspices of the Department of Human Services.

Enabling Legislation

As an independent statutory body, the Board is established under the Corrections Act 1986. The Board has jurisdiction over the following offender groups:

• offenders for whom a court has ordered a prison sentence where a non-parole period applies
• young persons transferred to prison from a youth justice centre, and transferred from prison to a youth justice centre, under part 5.6 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and regulations.

In addition, the Board has jurisdiction:

• pursuant to the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005, to determine appropriate instructions and directions (special conditions) in respect of an extended supervision order and to supervise offenders who are subject to such an order
• to supervise and monitor those offenders subject to a detention or supervision order pursuant to the Serious Sex Offender (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009.

The Board provides a framework that enables offenders to undertake a step-by-step re-entry into the community.

Preparing offenders for release on parole begins as soon as they enter the prison system. The Board meets with offenders at a relatively early stage during their sentences. These meetings ensure that offenders undertake appropriate programs designed to assist them to re-enter society successfully. On a more regular basis, the Board interviews some offenders who have been convicted of serious offences or those who have psychiatric issues. The Board needs to be satisfied that such offenders are well equipped to be reintegrated into the community on release. Through regular interviews, the Board can monitor their progress for an appropriate period prior to release on parole.

Factors taken into consideration by the Board

When deciding whether to release an offender on parole, the Board considers the interests of the community, the rights of the victim, the intentions of the sentencing authority and the needs of the offender.
Factors taken into consideration by the Board include:

• the nature and circumstances of the offence(s)
• comments made by the judge when imposing the sentence
• the offender's criminal history
• previous history of supervision in the community
• potential risk to the community and/or the individual offender
• release plans
• reports, assessments and recommendations made by a variety of professionals, including medical practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, custodial staff and/or Community Corrections Officers
• submissions made by the offender, the offender's family, friends and potential employers or any other relevant individuals
• representations made by the victim or by persons related to the victim
• representations made by the offender or others with an interest in the case.
  

The Board uses guidelines to assist its decision-making, however each case is considered on its own merits.

Decisions of the Board

The Board may either:

• grant a prisoner release onto parole
• deny release on parole
• defer consideration until a later date
• cancel an offender's parole.

As an independent statutory body, the Board’s decisions are free from political or bureaucratic influence.

Appeals

There is no formal avenue of appeal against a decision of the Board. However prisoners may request a review of any decision of the Board. This may be done in writing (by the prisoner or by a person on behalf of the prisoner), or the prisoner can request an interview with the Board.

Prisoners eligible for release on parole are automatically brought to the attention of the Board and considered at the appropriate time. There is no need for prisoners to apply for consideration.

Membership

Membership of the Board includes:

• four judges of the Supreme Court of Victoria
• two judges and two retired judges of the County Court of Victoria
• a retired Chief Magistrate and a deputy Chief Magistrate
• one magistrate and one retired magistrate
• a full-time member of the Board
• the Secretary to the Department of Justice
• eight part-time members representing the community.

The Chairperson of the Board is a judge of the Supreme Court.

Meetings

The Board meets weekly at its Carlton office and regularly at all prisons in Victoria. It also meets when required at other locations such as Community Correctional Services Centres throughout Victoria.