Balance of Parole

If an offender's revocaton of parole is confirmed at their review hearing they serve their "balance of parole” in prison.

Balance of parole is calculated from the "effective" date of parole revocation: ie the date the breach occurred to the date the parole order expires. 

The clock on the balance of parole only starts once an offender is back in custody.

There is no expiry date for any warrant issued for revocation of parole. 

Example

Inmate Bob is released to parole on 29 May 2025 with his total sentence set to expire three years later on 28 May 2028.

On 18 April 2026, Bob's parole is revoked with the "effective" date 5 April 2026. 

Bob's balance of parole is 2 years 1 month and 24 days - calculated from 5 April 2026 (effective date) and 28 May 2028 (sentence expiry). 

Scenario A: If Bob was arrested and returned to custody on  5 April 2026 then the balance of parole would expire on 28 May 2028

because he was in custody on the same date the revocation became effective.  

BUT  

Scenario B: If Bob was arrested and returned to prison on 17 October 2027 then his balance of parole expires 10 December 2029

The clock only started ticking when he returned to custody...you can't serve a balance of parole in the community.

Is release possible for someone serving a balance of parole?

An inmate serving a balance of parole can be reconsidered for release in two ways.

The first is with an application under manifest injustice. 

The second way an inmate can be released is a result of the legal requirement that an inmate be considered for parole after serving 12 months in custody on their balance of parole. 

If the Authority decides to release the inmate on their balance of parole then the date is the 12 month anniversary of the date they returned to custody - or another date the SPA says is appropriate. 

Using the example of Bob in scenario A :

He would be eligible for release on his balance of parole on 4 April 2027 and would be on parole until 28 May 2028. 

While in scenario B:

Bob would be eligible for release to parole on 16 October 2028 and would be on parole until 10 December 2029.