Parole

The New Zealand Parole Board considers a range of factors when deciding whether someone can safely return to the community. At Bloem Law, our criminal defence lawyers can help you prepare for the parole process and ensure your circumstances, progress and release plan are clearly put before the Parole Board.

Preparing for a Parole Board hearing

The Parole Board considers a wide range of information when deciding whether someone can safely be released into the community. This can include your progress while in prison, rehabilitation, risk factors, proposed accommodation, support from whānau, employment or other plans, and how any ongoing risks will be managed.

Good preparation is important.

We can review the information before the Board, meet with you to discuss your circumstances and identify any issues that may affect your application. We can also help develop a clear release proposal and prepare written submissions explaining why parole should be granted. Where appropriate, we can work with your whānau, support people, case managers and other professionals to ensure the Parole Board has the information it needs to properly consider your release.

How Bloem Law can help

Our team can assist with parole matters including:

• Preparing for a New Zealand Parole Board hearing
• Reviewing previous Parole Board decisions
• Preparing written submissions for parole
• Developing and presenting a release and reintegration proposal
• Addressing concerns raised by Corrections or the Parole Board
• Parole Board representation where appropriate
• Applications to vary or discharge parole and release conditions
• Recall applications
• Reviews and appeals relating to Parole Board decisions
• Advice about release conditions and what they mean in practice

If parole has previously been declined, we can review the Board’s decision with you and help identify what needs to be addressed before your next hearing.

Parole eligibility

For most people serving a sentence of imprisonment of more than two years, eligibility for parole arises after serving the applicable non-parole period. This is often one-third of the sentence, although a Court may impose a longer minimum period of imprisonment in some cases.

Becoming eligible for parole does not mean release is automatic. The focus of the Parole Board is whether any remaining risk can safely be managed in the community.

Starting preparation early gives you the best opportunity to address concerns, strengthen your release proposal and ensure the Board receives a clear picture of the progress you have made. If you or a family member is approaching a parole hearing, has been declined parole, or needs advice about another Parole Board matter, contact Bloem Law.