1. Introduction

1.1 - Mission

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.

Core value 1

We contribute to the attainment of a just, peaceful and safe society.

Core value 2

We respect the inherent potential and dignity of all individuals
and the equal rights of all members of society.

Core value 3

We believe that the contribution of qualified and motivated individuals
is essential to promoting the achievement of the Parole Board's Mission.

Core value 4

We are committed to openness, integrity and accountability
in the execution of our mandate.

1.2 - Conditional Release Decision Making

Purpose

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) requires that the Executive Committee adopt policies relating to Board reviews and that members of the Board make conditional release decisions in accordance with these policies (para.151 (2) and ss.105(5)).

Introduction

The CCRA states that the National Parole Board's primary mandate is:

to contribute to the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society by means of decisions on the timing and conditions of release that will best facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens . (section 100)

The Board's decision-making policies are based on the following principles flowing from this primary mandate:

• Protection of society is the paramount consideration in any conditional release decision.
• Supervised release increases the offender’s potential for successful reintegration and, thereby, contributes to the long-term protection of society.
• Restrictions on the freedom of the offender in the community must be limited to those necessary and reasonable to protect society and to facilitate reintegration.

Information Standards

Quality release decision-making requires information that is comprehensive, reliable, and persuasive. The CCRA requires the Board to consider all available information that is relevant to a case (para. 101(b)).

The NPB and CSC endeavour to ensure that all relevant information is available to allow Board members to assess the offender's risk of re-offending, that is to say, the readiness of an offender to reintegrate as a law-abiding citizen. When reviewing an offender's file, Board members may determine that, for example,

• specific information, including source documentation, which could have an impact on the decision, is not on file;
• the information provided lacks the analysis needed to assess whether or not the offender has made positive change and/or the information is overly reliant on the offender’s self-reporting;
• the release plan does not include a review or an analysis of essential information (such as, confirmation of accommodation, the start dates of programs, the resources available to address the offender’s risk to re-offend) or the community assessment is inadequate.

If this occurs, then the Board shall:

• ask correctional authorities to obtain the information, if possible, before any required hearing, or before the decision is rendered.

In cases where the required information is not available, the Board may:

• postpone the hearing/review, at the request of the offender; or
• adjourn the review to obtain further information; or
• deny the release and inform the correctional authority and the offender that the case will be reviewed after the information is received.

In certain cases (for example, in the case of an offender from another country) historical information may not be available and decisions will have to be made on the basis of the specific information correctional authorities have been able to gather and their assessments of the offender while under sentence.

The Board also considers relevant information from victims in its assessment of the offender. Such information may relate to the nature and circumstances of the offence including the extent of harm to the victim, previous anti-social or deviant attitudes or behaviours, community contacts, release plans, or any conditions of release. It may also help the Board in assessing the offender's attitude regarding the impact of the offence and his/her attitude toward others.

Relevant information from communities or groups is also taken into account. Board members will assess the extent to which these communities or groups are willing to support the offender in the community.

Implementation Date

2006-05-31