Granting parole

Closed Meetings

Closed meetings are held for all inmates.

Offenders serving prison sentences with non parole periods less than 12 years, are considered by a panel of Parole Authority members who read and evaluate all the available information about that offender.

If the panel decides to grant parole, a date is set for the inmate's release, which is usually the date when their non parole period expires. 

If the panel refuses parole, the inmate is considered the following year on their anniversary date.

All parole decisions must be finalised 21 days before the eligible for parole date to give time for arrangements to be made should an inmate be released.

Public Review Hearings 

Serious offenders are inmates serving sentences with non parole periods greater than 12 years.

They are first considered at a closed meeting and if an intention to grant parole is formed, then a date is set for a PUBLIC review hearing.

If the review hearing confirms a decision to grant parole then a date is set for the serious offender's release. This is usually a date range of  "no earlier than” and “no later than". 

Inmates are never released on the day a parole decision is made.

Most release dates are 2 weeks after the parole hearing decision allows time for any appeal to be lodged. 

Release of offenders from custody

Corrective Services NSW is responsible for arranging and managing the release of every inmate from custody.

The Parole Authority is not involved in this process.