Provisions for Better Management of Parolees Commence in NSW
Tuesday 6 March 2018 @ 10.29 a.m. | Legal Research
On 26 February 2018, sections relating to improved management of parolees of the Parole Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (NSW) (‘the Act’) were commenced by proclamation. Among other things, the amendments provide for improved guidelines for parole officers by clarifying their authority to impose penalties.
Main Legislative Changes
The main amendments to the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 (NSW) by the Act stipulate:
- that the Parole Authority, in deciding how to manage a condition of a parole order, must have regard to maters such as risk to the community, the effect on any victim or victim’s family;
- that it is a condition of a parole order that the offender is to be subject to supervision unless there are exceptional circumstances;
- that the Parole Authority may revoke a parole order at any time before the offender is released under that order.
According to a media release issued by the NSW Department of Justice, the changes are a more effective way to manage an offender’s risk to the community:
During Parliamentary debate on the Bill, David Elliott, Minister for Counter Terrorism, Minister for Corrections, and Minister for Veterans Affairs, stated in his second reading speech:
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Sources:
Parole Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (NSW), associated Bill, explanatory memorandum and second reading speeches, as published on TimeBase LawOne.
[media release] ‘Implementing the criminal justice reforms: Latest changes to enable smarter management of parolees,’ NSW Department of Justice, 26 February 2018.