Final decision of the Adult Parole Board

After the Adult Parole Board gets your Parole Suitability Assessment, they will make a final decision about whether to refuse or grant your parole.

For people who are classified as a Serious Violent Offender or Sex Offender, the decision is made by a special division of the Adult Parole Boad, called the SVOSO division.

The number one consideration of the Board when making a parole decision is the safety and protection of the community. They can also consider:

• Any information provided to them by Community Corrections
• The original sentence and any comments by the court about parole and rehabilitation
• Psychiatric or psychological (mental health) reports available to the court when it imposed the sentence
• Victim impact statements provided to the court that sentenced you
• The nature and circumstances of the offence
• Criminal history, including performance on past parole orders or community-based orders (like Community Correction Orders)
• A new submission received from any victims of the offence
• The outcome of formal risk assessments
• Whether you have done any treatment or programs in prison and, if you have, any reports about your performance
• New psychiatric or psychological (mental health) reports requested by the Board
• Details of suitable and stable housing arrangements for release
• Your behaviour in prison, including outcomes of random drug tests

Important: If you are categorised as Serious Violent Offender or Sex Offender, the Board will also consider a detailed home assessment report about the suitability of any housing you have put forward and any information held by Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police.

The Board might ask to interview you, or prison officers and staff to help them with their decision. You cannot have a lawyer at your interview.

The Board does not have to consider the Victorian Human Rights Charter when making a decision. This is different from some other states in Australia.

The Board’s decision might take a long time. In the end the Board will either grant or deny your parole.

If the Board grants your parole, you will be given a release date and parole conditions. For more information on what happens if you are granted parole, use the link on the left side of this page.

For information on what you can do if the Board denies your parole, use the link on the left side of this page.