What happens if I’m granted parole?

If you are granted parole, you will be given a release date and parole conditions.

Important: the Adult Parole Board can revoke your parole before your release date if there are any issues in prison between their decision and the release date, like a positive drug test or a violent incident. Try to avoid having any incidents in prison until you are released.

Parole conditions

If you are granted parole, the Board will make a Parole Order. In the Parole Order there will be conditions you must comply with. If you don’t comply with the conditions, your parole can be cancelled and you could be brought back to prison.

Parole conditions are made up of ‘core’ and ‘discretionary’ (additional) conditions.

Every Parole Order has 10 core conditions. They are:

1. You must not break any law
2. You must report to the Community Corrections Centre written in the parole order within two business days (Mon – Fri) of being released on parole
3. You must notify your parole officer of any change of address at least two business days (Mon – Fri) before the change of address
4. You must notify your parole officer of any change of employment at least two business days (Mon – Fri before changing jobs
5. You are under supervision of a parole officer
6. You must report to, and receive visits from a parole officer whenever directed by the officer
7. You must be available for interview by any parole officer, your Community Corrections Regional Manager or the Adult Parole Board at the time and place they direct
8. You must attend in person at a Community Corrections Centre if directed in writing by a parole officer
9. You must not leave Victoria without the written permission of your Community Corrections Regional Manager (you can ask for permission through your parole officer)
10. You must comply with any direction given by a parole officer, the Community Corrections Regional Manager or the Adult Parole Board, so long as the direction is necessary to make sure that you comply with your parole order

The Adult Parole Board might also include additional conditions depending on your individual circumstances. These are called “discretionary conditions”. Some examples are:

• Residential condition (meaning you have to live at a certain address)
• Not being allowed to drink and/or or use drugs
• Drug and/or alcohol testing
• Not being able to go to certain places or areas
• Not being allowed to contact certain people
• Curfew
• Unpaid community work
• Getting assessed and attending rehabilitation programs

Important: The Adult Parole Board can change the conditions on your Parole Order at any time, depending on how you are going according to the reports from your parole officer.

Supervision by a parole officer

If the Board decides to release you on parole, you will be supervised by a parole officer from Community Corrections. Parole officers will have appointments with you, visit you and refer you to programs or treatment. They will update the Board about your progress on parole.

It is very important that you stay in contact with your parole officer and follow reasonable directions as much as you can. Parole officers can warn the Board if:

• You have breached your parole (either by breaking one of your conditions or re-offending) or
• Your risk of re-offending is increasing.

This could lead to the Adult Parole Board cancelling your parole, and you could be brought back to prison.

Important: if you’re not happy with how things are going with your parole officer, you can ask to change to another one.

Source: Adult Parole Board ‘Parole Manual’