COVID-19 and the Parole Board of Canada
This webpage contains the latest information on Parole Board of Canada (PBC) operational measures in response to COVID-19.
The PBC is committed to the health and safety of the public, those incarcerated, its Board members and staff. The advice and recommendations of public health officials continue to inform and guide the PBC’s operational decisions.
Parole reviews
Eligibility for conditional release is legislated under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) and its timeframes are prescribed by the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations. Eligibility dates are calculated by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Incarcerated individuals may also submit an application for conditional release to the PBC in accordance with the legislation.
The PBC must review an individual’s case in accordance with legislated timeframes.
PBC hearings take place in person, usually at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) institution where the individual is incarcerated, or remotely by videoconference or by teleconference.
In making conditional release decisions, the PBC considers all relevant available information related to the individual’s case, including court and sentencing information, the nature and gravity of the offence, and information obtained from victims, the incarcerated individual and other components of the criminal justice system, including assessments provided by correctional authorities.
Information regarding the incarcerated individual’s health or health risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic will be considered if relevant as part of the risk assessment, along with all other information on file.
Assistants at hearings for incarcerated individuals
In accordance with subsection 140(7) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA), an incarcerated individual can be assisted at a PBC hearing by a person of their choice, unless that person’s presence as an observer would not be allowed (e.g., security reasons). An assistant can be a family member, friend, lawyer, community support, or another person. Only one person can be chosen as an assistant.
In cases where a PBC hearing is being held in person, the assistant may attend the hearing in person or remotely by videoconference or teleconference. Where an in-person hearing is held, in-person attendance will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on hearing room capacity, which will vary by institution. Should CSC make a decision to limit access to institutions for public health reasons, a previously scheduled PBC in-person hearing may need to be held remotely by teleconference or videoconference.
All individuals participating in hearings within a CSC institution will be subject to CSC’s established health and safety protocols, including screening, wearing masks, and physical distancing. Visit the CSC COVID-19 website for more information.
For more information, consult the PBC’s fact sheet Assistants at PBC Hearings.
Victims
The PBC is committed to ensuring that victims receive all legislated information they are entitled to and that information from victims forms an integral part of decision-making.
PBC hearings take place in person, usually at the CSC institution where the individual is incarcerated, or remotely by videoconference or by teleconference.
In cases where a PBC hearing is being held in person, victims may request to attend the hearing in person or remotely by videoconference or teleconference. Every effort will be made to accommodate the requested method of observing the hearing, however, observers may be approved for a different method than requested due to factors such as space limitations, safety/security requirements or operational considerations.
All individuals participating in hearings within a CSC institution are subject to CSC’s established health and safety protocols, including screening, wearing masks, and physical distancing. Visit the CSC COVID-19 website for more information.
Victims wishing to attend a hearing as a victim and/or present a victim statement should complete and submit the Request to Observe a Parole Board of Canada Hearing - Application Form.
For victims who prefer not to attend a hearing, the PBC continues to accept victim statements in various formats, including audio or video recording. Regardless of the format chosen, a written copy of the statement must be submitted to the PBC prior to the hearing. Victims can also request to listen to the audio recording of certain hearings, and can also request written copies of PBC decisions through its Decision Registry.
Victims are encouraged to create an account on the Victims Portal, which provides them with 24/7 online access to receive and submit information.
For more information on PBC victim services, visit Canada.ca/victims-and-parole or call the PBC Victim Information Line at 1-866-789-4636 (toll free).
Observers
The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) allows members of the public, including media, to observe PBC hearings in the spirit of openness and accountability, and to contribute to better public understanding of the conditional release decision-making process.
PBC hearings take place in person, usually at the institution where the individual is incarcerated, or remotely by video or teleconference.
In cases where a PBC hearing is being held in person, observers may request to attend the hearing in person or remotely by videoconference or teleconference. Every effort will be made to accommodate the requested method of observing the hearing, however observers may be approved for a different method than requested due to factors such as space limitations, safety/security requirements or operational considerations.
All individuals participating in hearings within a CSC institution are subject to CSC’s established health and safety protocols, including screening, wearing masks, and physical distancing. Visit the CSC COVID-19 website for more information.
Members of the public, including media, wishing to observe a PBC hearing should complete and submit the Request to Observe a Parole Board of Canada Hearing - Application Form.
Members of the public, including media, can also request written copies of PBC decisions through its Decision Registry. PBC written decisions will be sent to the requestor as soon as possible once the decision is finalized and all victims have been notified of the decision.
For more information
Correctional Service of Canada: Latest information on COVID-19 in federal correctional institutions
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