Victim’s right to information from federal corrections and parole authorities

You have a right to:

• receive information about the criminal justice system and your role in it
• receive information about the services and programs available to you, including restorative justice programs; and
• request certain information^{Footnote 1} about the offender who harmed you and decisions about the offender returning to the community including when they will be released, to what area and what conditions they must follow while being supervised in the community until the end of the sentence

When the offender who harmed you receives a sentence of two years or more in jail (including life sentences) you can receive information about them from the Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board of Canada.

When the offender is serving a sentence that is less than two years in jail, check with victim services in the province or territory^{Footnote 2} where the offender is serving their sentence for this information. In every province and territory except Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, the Parole Board of Canada is responsible for making parole decisions if the offender applies for parole. In those regions, you can ask the Parole Board of Canada for information about any parole reviews and decisions.

Register to receive information about the offender who harmed you

Sharing information to victims is not automatic. You must register with the Correctional Service of Canada or the Parole Board Canada if you want to receive information about the offender who harmed you. You only need to register once and must give them your contact information and keep it up to date.

What options are available to registered victims

Registering as a victim allows you to:

• Request written copies of Parole Board decisions (summaries of the information and Board Members' reasons for making their decision)
• Submit a victim statement to the Correctional Service of Canada and Parole Board Canada
• Present your victim statement at a parole hearing
• Listen to an audio recording of a parole hearing
• Receive funding to observe a parole hearing and to bring a support person with you

What kind of information can you receive as a registered victim

You can also choose to receive information about:

• where the offender is held in custody and when they are transferred to another jail
• the offender's sentence and important dates, such as when they can be considered for parole
• a summary of the offender's behaviour plan and programs designed to help them respect the Law
• decisions about releasing the offender into the community, including when the offender will be released and the area they will live in; and
• conditions the offender must follow when living in the community while being supervised until the end of their sentence

How is the information sent to you

You can decide how you want to receive this information: over the phone, by mail, by fax or through the online Victims Portal.

Learn about the federal corrections and parole system

Where can you find information about how the federal corrections and parole system works

The National Office for Victims writes, publishes and distributes information products explaining the federal corrections and parole system, available online and in hard copy at no cost. Products include:

• Victims of Crime: Staying Informed a pocket-sized booklet containing the mandates of the federal department and agencies who work with victims of federal offenders.
• Information Guide to Assist Victims a comprehensive overview of the federal corrections and parole system.
• Helping Victims Prepare for the Release of a Federal Offender contains steps you can take to protect and support yourself and your loved ones, when the offender is being released into the community.
• Sentence Calculation – An Explanation of the Basics of Sentence Calculation with Examples explains how federal sentences are calculated and includes information about when offenders become eligible for different types of release.

What if you have questions and want to speak to a real person

Victim Services Officers at the Correctional Service of Canada or Regional Communications Officers at the Parole Board Canada can give you information and answer questions about the federal corrections and parole system and how it works. They can also give you information about:

• registering as a victim to receive information about the offender who harmed you, as well as other services;
• submitting a victim statement;
• how release (parole) decisions are made;
• observing the parole hearing; and/or
• getting a copy of the Parole Board Canada decisions.

It is important to know that you must be registered as a victim for some of these services.

More information is available in the National Office for Victim's Information Guide to Assist Victims.

Learn about other programs and services available to you

Where can you find services for victims of crime

You can use the online Victim Services Directory to search for other local victim services based on your area and/or your needs. This Directory includes specialized services for children, Indigenous Peoples, survivors of domestic violence, and other victims of crime.

What is the Restorative Opportunities Program

The Correctional Service of Canada can give you information about the Restorative Opportunities Program – a voluntary program that gives you the opportunity to communicate with the offender with the help of a trained mediator. The program focuses on your needs and issues. It is based on the principles of respect, compassion, dignity, honesty and fairness.

The goal is to meet the needs of participants and to address the harms caused, while protecting against re-victimization. Forgiveness is not a goal or expected result.

Why would you want to participate in the Restorative Opportunities Program

The reasons why victims choose to participate in this program are unique to each individual and can include:

• telling the story of their experience;
• being certain the offender understands the impact of the crime;
• finding answers to questions that are important to them;
• holding the offender accountable for the harm done;
• identifying what can be done to repair the harm, if possible.

What will you get out of the Restorative Opportunities Program

The potential outcomes of participating in the program include:

• Strengthened sense of voice and control;
• Answers and information;
• Updated view of the offender;
• Opportunity to convey impacts; and
• Accountability and apology.

Other things to know

The fact that the offender participated in the Restorative Opportunities Program cannot be used when a decision is made whether to release the offender into the community. Decision makers are told to ignore this information, even if the offender brings it up at a hearing.

The decision to participate may come from many months or years of thought and reflection. This process is not an easy one and is not for every victim; nor is it for every offender.

Make a complaint if your right has not been met

If you feel your rights as a victim have been denied, you can submit a complaint. Information about how to do this is available at Making a Complaint under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

National Office for Victims

You can visit the National Office for Victims for additional information and publications that explain the federal corrections and parole system.