Purpose of parole

Parole serves as a bridge between prison and being back in the community.   

The purpose of parole is to support offenders through reintegration into the community before the end of their total sentence.

Mandatory supervision together with parole conditions provides a safety net for the community because evidence shows offenders on supervised parole are less likely to reoffend.

Parole is not a reduction of sentence.

It is not a reward for good behaviour.

It is not a free pass or “getting out of jail early” or “walking free from prison”. 

Offenders on parole are not free to do whatever they want or go wherever they please in the community.  

While on parole, offenders are still serving their sentence and if they fail to comply with any of their conditions and breach their parole order, then they are returned to prison. 

The reason we have supervised parole as part of our judicial system is because it has been proven to reduce recidivism.

It offers our community far better protection than making an inmate serve their entire sentence in prison and then having them released into the community without any supervision and conditions, support or assistance.

Releasing offenders at the end of their total sentence would be the worst outcome for community safety.