16GJustice agencies to tell victims about inquiries for parole

16G Justice agencies to tell victims about inquiries for parole or release on licence (1) This section applies if the sentence administration board intends to start an inquiry into an application for— (a) parole by an offender under the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005, chapter 7 (Parole); or (b) the release of an offender on licence under the Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005, part 13.1 (Release on licence).

(2) A relevant justice agency must, as soon as practicable, tell a victim of an offender— (a) about the inquiry; and (b) how the victim may— (i) make a submission to the board; or (ii) tell the board about any concern in relation to the inquiry; or (iii) ask the board not to give the submission or concern to the offender or another person. Note 1 The sentence administration board must seek a registered victim’s views before starting an inquiry for parole (see Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005, s 123) or release on licence (see that Act, s 292) for an offender. Note 2 The sentence administration board must ensure, as far as practicable, that documents are not given to a person if it may endanger a victim or someone else, and other reasons (see Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005, s 192). (3) The relevant justice agency must also give the victim the following information to assist the victim to make a submission or tell the board about a concern: (a) information about the offender; (b) information about any assistance available to the victim to make a submission or tell the board about a concern. Note 1 The Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005 sets out the information that must be given to a victim for an inquiry for parole (see that Act, s 124) or release on licence (see that Act, s 292 (6)). Note 2 Information about an offender may only be disclosed to a registered victim of the offender if the disclosure is appropriate in the circumstances (see s 16I).

(a) the adult offenders victims register unit; (b) the sentence administration board when acting in an administrative capacity.