Victims of Offences
The Board recognises the concerns of victims and their families when offenders are released into the community. If victims are registered as part of the victim notification system, the Board must take all reasonable steps to notify them of an offender’s pending hearing (section 43(2) of the Parole Act 2002). Where the offender is subject to a long-term sentence (more than 2 years imprisonment), registered victims are also entitled to request certain information from the Department of Corrections about an offender’s security status, programmes undertaken and details of any further convictions they may have received from the time they commenced their sentence.
Registered victims have the right to make written and oral submissions to the Board. In accordance with the Parole Act 2002, the Board must give due weight to victims’ submissions. due weight to victims’ submissions. Victims (as defined under section 4 of the Victims’ Rights Act 2002), who are not registered as part of the victim notification system have the right to make written and, with the Board’s permission, oral submissions to the Board. Victims can also request information on hearing outcomes and be notified of hearing decisions and release or detention conditions that are of personal relevance. Furthermore, the Board may consider unsolicited submissions from the community.
VICTIM SUBMISSIONS
