Frequently Asked Questions by victims about parole

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) and Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) jointly coordinate their victim services. To register as a victim, complete a Request for Victim Registration - Application Form.

See also How to register as a victim

Once a victim has registered with the PBC to receive information, they will receive:

• the offender's name;
• the offence and the court of conviction;
• the sentence start date and length; and,
• the offender's eligibility and review dates for unescorted temporary absences, parole, or statutory release.

Upon request, a victim may be provided with the following additional information, if the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) determines that the victim's interest clearly outweighs any compromise of the offender's privacy that could result from the disclosure of:

• the offender's age;
• the location of the penitentiary;
• the date of any release on an unescorted temporary absence, escorted temporary absence where the Board has approved the absence, parole or statutory release;
• the date of any Parole Board hearing;
• any conditions attached to an unescorted temporary absence, parole or statutory release;
• the reason for an unescorted temporary absence;
• the reason why an offender waived a hearing, if one was given;
• the destination of the offender when released on an unescorted temporary absence, parole or statutory release, and if the offender will be in the vicinity of the victim while traveling to that destination;
• whether the offender is in custody and, if not, the reason; and,
• whether the offender has appealed a Board decision and the outcome of the appeal.

See also Receiving Information.

To attend a parole hearing, a victim should complete and submit the Request to Observe a Hearing form.

See also Attending a parole hearing.

Financial assistance is available through the Victims Fund to registered victims who wish to attend parole hearings of the offender who harmed them.

Financial assistance is also available for a support person to accompany registered victims to Parole Board of Canada hearings, or to provide child or dependant care to enable victims to attend hearings.

For more information about the Victims Fund, contact Justice Canada at 1-866-544-1007 (toll-free) or visit the Department of Justice website.

Victims are encouraged to consult Attending a Hearing in a Federal Institution, to help familiarize themselves with the parole hearing process and what to expect on the day of the hearing.

Victims may also contact a Regional Communications Officer (RCO) in their region for further guidance by calling 1-866-789-INFO (1-866-789-4636) (toll free).

See also Attending a parole hearing.

A victim may present a statement to PBC Board members at the offender's parole hearing that outlines the continuing impact the offence has had on them, as well as any risk or safety concerns they feel the offender may pose.

For guidelines on what a victim statement should include, victims should consult the Victims: Presenting a Statement and Victims - Statement Checklist fact sheets.

See also Presenting a statement at a parole hearing.

Victims may submit information to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) at any time related to safety concerns, the offender's risk to re-offend and/or the effect the crime has had on them, their family, or the community.

To submit information to the PBC about an offender, contact a Regional Communications Officer (RCO) in your region by calling 1-866-789-INFO (1-866-789-4636) (toll free).

See also Providing information.

Victims may submit information to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) at any time related to safety concerns, the offender's risk to re-offend and/or the effect the crime has had on them, their family, or the community.

Victims may also request that conditions such as "no contact" be placed on an offender's release on parole.

To submit information to the PBC about an offender, contact a Regional Communications Officer (RCO) in your region by calling 1-866-789-INFO (1-866-789-4636) (toll free).

See also Providing information.

Once a victim has registered to receive information, they will receive the following: the offender's name; the offence and the court of conviction; the sentence start date and length; and, the offender's eligibility and review dates for unescorted temporary absences, parole, or statutory release.

Upon request, a victim may be provided with additional information (if the PBC determines that the victim's interest clearly outweighs any compromise of the offender's privacy that could result from the disclosure).

To request additional information, contact a Regional Communications Officer (RCO) in your region by calling 1-866-789-INFO (1-866-789-4636) (toll free).

See also Information available to victims.

To request a copy of a Parole Board of Canada decision (PBC) victims should complete and submit the Request for Decision Registry form.

See also Requesting a copy of a decision.

No. Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, only an offender can appeal a parole decision by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).

See also Appeals.

Yes. Under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR), victims of crime have a right to information, participation, protection, and restitution.

If you are a victim of crime and feel that your rights under the CVBR have not been respected, you have a right to file a complaint with the PBC.

Visit the PBC victim complaints process page for information on how to submit a complaint to the PBC.