Are you supporting someone at a New Zealand Parole Board hearing? Here’s what you need to know:
The prisoner must register your name with the Board in advance, once they know their hearing date.
All visitors to a prison must have their entry approved by prison management.
Your’ details are not automatically carried over between hearings. Each Board hearing is a new event, and the prisoner needs to specify each time who is attending to support them.
Up to three support people can generally attend a hearing. This can include whānau, family, friends, community members, and a past or future employer. A lawyer can be brought as a fourth person.
Support people must arrive at least half an hour before the scheduled hearing time and bring photo identification.
Please be aware there is often not enough space to accommodate extra supporters. Any extra supporters must be approved by the Board in advance, not on the day.
Supporters attending a hearing must be aged 16 or over. Children are not permitted and support people need to make their own childcare arrangements.
The Board may or may not ask supporters to speak during the hearing. Sometimes your presence speaks for itself.
