121Applications for parole

121 Applications for parole (1) An offender may apply to the board for parole no earlier than 6 months before the offender’s parole eligibility date. (2) However, if the offender believes there are exceptional circumstances, the offender may apply to the board for parole any time before the offender’s parole eligibility date. (3) An application under subsection (1) is an ordinary parole application and an application under subsection (2) is a special parole application. (4) A special parole application must include a written submission from the offender about the exceptional circumstances in support of the application. (5) An application for parole must be in writing. (6) An application for parole may be made even though— (a) another parole application by the offender has previously been refused; or (b) another parole order for the offender has previously been cancelled. (7) Despite subsections (2) and (6), a regulation may limit the making of special parole applications. Note The power to make regulations includes power to make different provisions in relation to different matters or different classes of matters, and provisions that apply differently by reference to stated exceptions or factors (see Legislation Act, s 48).