Fact Sheet - Timeline for Conditional Release

Example of conditional release eligibility dates* for an offender serving a 6-year federal sentence.

Start of sentence Eligible to apply for escorted temporary absence
1/6 of sentence
(12 months)
Eligible to apply for unescorted temporary absence
Note: Offenders classified as maximum security are not eligible for unescorted temporary absences.
6 months before 1/3 of sentence
(18 months)
Eligible for day parole
1/3 of sentence
(24 months)
Eligible for full parole
2/3 of sentence
(48 months)
Statutory release

Note: Statutory release (SR) is a mandatory release by law. It is not a Parole Board of Canada (PBC) decision. The Correctional Service of Canada may, however, refer SR cases to the PBC for detention beyond the SR date.
End of sentence
(72 months)
Warrant expiry date

Note: Offender is no longer under the jurisdiction of the PBC after warrant expiry date. Parole and statutory release end on this date.

 

* Eligibility dates are when the offender is legally entitled to a review. Even though the law requires the PBC to review offenders for conditional release at some point in their sentence, this does not mean they will get it. Conditional release is never guaranteed. Public safety is always the primary consideration. Standard conditions apply to all conditional releases. Special conditions may also be imposed.

Page details

Date modified: