Parole

In New Zealand, the Parole Board is an independent body that decides whether an offender can be safely released into the community before their full sentence ends. For a survivor, this is one of the most critical stages of the justice system, as it is where the “rules” for the perpetrator’s life after prison are set.

Here is everything you need to know about the process and your rights.

1. The “Safety First” Mandate

By law (Parole Act 2002), the Board’s “paramount consideration” is the safety of the community. They cannot release an offender unless they are satisfied the person will not pose an undue risk to the safety of any person or the community.

2. Your Right to “Have Your Say”

If you are on the Victim Notification Register (VNR), you have a legal right to participate in the parole process.

Notification: You will be told at least two months before a hearing is due to take place.
Submissions: You can write a letter to the Board (a “submission”) or meet with a Board member in person (or via video link) to share your views.
Confidentiality: Your submission is not shown to the offender. They are given a summary of the reasons why the Board might be concerned, but your personal letter and contact details are kept private.

3. Requesting “Special Conditions”

This is your most powerful tool. You can ask the Board to impose specific rules on the offender to keep you safe. Common requests include:

Geographic Exclusion Zones: Barring them from entering your suburb, your town, or even an entire region (e.g., “The offender must not travel north of the Bombay Hills”).
Non-Contact Orders: A total ban on contacting you or your children, including through third parties or social media.
GPS Monitoring: Requiring the offender to wear an electronic anklet that alerts Corrections if they enter an exclusion zone.
Rehabilitation: Requiring them to complete specific programs (like the “Violence Prevention Programme”) before or after release.

4. What Happens at the Hearing?

You do not attend the actual hearing where the offender is present.

The Board meets with the offender, their lawyer, and a Corrections officer.
They review the offender’s behavior in prison, their “release plan” (where they will live and work), and your victim submission.
If parole is declined, the Board will set a date for the next hearing (usually in 6–12 months).
If parole is granted, the offender is released under the supervision of a Probation Officer.

5. The Role of Probation

Once released, the offender is “on license” until their Sentence End Date.

They must report regularly to a Probation Officer.
If they break any of their special conditions (like trying to message you), the Probation Officer can “recall” them to prison immediately.
If you see the offender in a place they aren’t supposed to be, you should call 111 (if in immediate danger) or the Department of Corrections to report the breach.

6. Important Limits

The “Full Sentence”: If an offender is not granted parole, they must be released on their Sentence End Date (unless they are on Preventive Detention). The Board cannot keep someone in prison past their legal sentence, but they can still impose “Post-Release Conditions” for up to six months after they get out.
No VNR, No Voice: If you are not on the Victim Notification Register, the Board will not know how to contact you, and you will not be told when the offender is getting out.

“Sanity” Checklist for Parole

Apply for the VNR immediately if you haven’t already.

Keep your contact details updated with the VNR Coordinator.

Focus your submission on “Safety”: The Board cares most about facts regarding risk. Tell them why a specific exclusion zone is necessary for your safety.

In New Zealand, the Parole Board is legally required to give “due weight” to victim submissions. This is your opportunity to ensure the Board understands the risk the offender poses and to request special conditions that will keep you safe.

Your submission should be clear, factual, and focused on safety. It is not shown to the offender in its original form—they are usually given a summary, and your contact details are strictly removed.

Parole Board Victim Submission Template

To: The New Zealand Parole Board Offender Name: [Full Name] PRN/Case Number: [If known] Your Name: [Full Name] Date: [Current Date]

1. Relationship & Context

Briefly state your relationship to the offender and the nature of the offending to remind the Board of the power dynamic.

Example: “I am the former partner of [Name]. I am writing this submission regarding his upcoming parole hearing for the charges of [List charges].”

2. Current Fears and Safety Concerns

Focus on the future risk. Explain how you feel about their potential release and why.

Example: “I have ongoing concerns for my safety and the safety of my children. During the time of the offending, [Name] showed a pattern of [stalking/harassment/ignoring court orders]. I believe that without strict boundaries, he will attempt to locate me immediately upon release.”

3. Request for Special Conditions (The “Rules”)

Be specific about what you need to feel safe. You can request:

Non-Contact: “I request a condition that [Name] have no contact with me or my family, either directly or indirectly (including via social media or third parties).”
Exclusion Zones: Be precise. “I request a geographic exclusion zone that prohibits [Name] from entering the [Name of Suburb/Town] area. Specifically, he should be barred from the area bounded by [Road Names].”
Workplace/School Protection: “I request that [Name] be prohibited from coming within 500 meters of [My Workplace Name] and [Children’s School Name].”
GPS Monitoring: “Given his history of [breaching orders], I request that he be subject to GPS monitoring to ensure he does not enter the exclusion zones.”

4. Impact of Release

Describe how their release will affect your daily life and what “safe” looks like for you.

Example: “Knowing that there are exclusion zones and GPS monitoring in place would allow me to continue working and taking my children to school without the constant fear of a chance encounter.”

5. Closing Statement

Summarize your position on their release.

Example: “I do not believe [Name] has addressed his [anger/control/substance] issues sufficiently to be safe in the community. If the Board decides to grant parole, I urge you to include the special conditions listed above to protect my whānau.”

Crucial Tips for your Submission:

Keep it Brief: The Board reads many of these. Aim for 1–2 pages.
Confidentiality Check: Include your full residential address in the submission. The Board needs this to set the exclusion zones. The offender will NOT see your address.
Facts over Threats: Do not use the submission to threaten the offender. Focus on why you need protection based on their past behavior.
Ask for the Decision: In your letter, ask the Board to send you a copy of the reasons for their decision. As a registered victim, you are entitled to an edited version of the decision.