MISSION STATEMENT OF THE
NATIONAL PAROLE BOARD
The National Parole Board, as part of the criminal justice system, makes independent, quality conditional release and pardon decisions and clemency recommendations. The Board contributes to the protection of society by facilitating, as appropriate, the timely integration of offenders as law-abiding citizens.
The purpose of this Mission document is to provide clear direction and inspiration to Board Members and staff of the National Parole Board (NPB) for the achievement of excellence in the field of corrections in general and in conditional release in particular. It provides guidance for today and a focus to meet the challenges of tomorrow. It is also a document that explains to offenders and ex-offenders, to our criminal justice partners, to interest groups, including victims, to Parliament and to the public, who we are, what we stand for, what we do and how we do it.
As part of the criminal justice system, the Board contributes to the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society. We use the word "contribute" in our Mission statement because we are not alone in pursuing this noble goal. In conjunction with our Ministry colleagues, we work with provincial and international correctional services and parole boards, police, after-care agencies, Crown attorneys and defence counsel and many other organizations and individuals in the community.
The legal authority within which the NPB operates is set out by the Constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code of Canada, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and its Regulations, and other legislation. In making quality decisions regarding conditional releases and pardons, as well as recommendations in clemency cases, the Board’s primary objective is the long term protection of society. The NPB firmly believes that law-abiding behaviour can best be achieved by timely and supervised conditional release and the effective administration of sentences. In making its decisions, the Board is autonomous and independent, however, it is accountable for its actions, not only by virtue of its internal framework, but to Parliament and ultimately, to all Canadians.
This document consists of a major revision of the original NPB Mission statement developed in 1986. It was long overdue in view of many changes and improvements that have occurred in corrections in the last decade. I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this revised document and particularly those who now will ensure its achievement.
Achieving the mandate of the NPB is not easily accomplished. It involves the safeguarding of two of our most precious values: public safety and personal freedom. "Making the Mission a Reality" therefore is a challenge that becomes the primary responsibility and obligation to all those associated with the Board.
Core Value 1
Core Value 2
Core Value 3
Core Value 4
