There are a number of steps in the process for the New Zealand Parole Board to make a decision about an offender's case.
Step 1: About nine weeks before the hearing, the offender will be sent a letter saying when the case will be considered and giving them the opportunity to make a written submission.
Step 2: The offender will be sent a further letter about the kind of hearing planned for their case. This could be 'attended' or 'unattended' (the two kinds are explained in the next section). Hearings are generally "attended", meaning the offender appears in person before the Board panel.
Step 3: Offenders are given information about taking part in the hearing if it is an attended hearing, or given the opportunity for a pre-hearing interview if it is an unattended hearing. Any submissions from victims will be shown to the offender, but details identifying the address of victims is withheld.
Step 4: The hearing takes place. In most cases, the offender will appear before the Board panel and Members may ask questions about they feel about their offending, what programmes they have completed in prison, and what plans they have if released. The Board may also meet victims as well as supporters of the offender, but victims and the offender will not appear at the same time without the agreement of both parties, and the Board.
Step 5: The offender is told the decision, generally on the day of the hearing. They will be given details of their conditions if their release is approved, or given the reasons if their release is declined.