Victims Information

Parole

Parole is when the offender is released from prison before their sentence ends and serves the rest of their sentence in the community.

If the offender was sentenced to more than 2 years in prison, the New Zealand Parole Board will look at their case at a parole hearing and decide whether they can be released early.

Contact the Parole Board on 0800 PAROLE – 0800 727 653 or email info@paroleboard.govt.nz.

Release from prison

Offenders are released from prison either on parole or when their sentence ends. This may be earlier than you expect because time they spent in custody before they were convicted and sentenced is counted as part of their sentence.

Offenders with a prison sentence of 2 years or less are released after serving half of their sentence.

A non-parole period is a minimum term of imprisonment during which an offender isn't eligible to be released from prison on parole. If an offender doesn't have a non-parole period, they'll be eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentence.

Offenders sentenced to preventive detention must serve at least 5 years in prision before they're eligible for parole.

If the offender was found guilty of murder, they'll normally be subject to a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.

Parole conditions

Offenders often have to meet certain conditions after they're released on parole. The conditions are set by the Parole Board and are aimed at protecting the community.

Conditions may cover where they can live, who they can contact and whether they have a curfew.

If an offender doesn't follow their parole conditions, they may have to go back to prison.

More information about parole

Visit the New Zealand Parole Board website (external link) or watch a short video about parole.

Last modified: 8th June 2017 Print