Can decisions of the Ontario Parole Board be appealed?
- January 16, 2021
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
The Ontario Parole Board makes decisions about parole and (in some cases) temporary absences for prisoners serving sentences of less than 2 years. Prisoners who disagree with a decision of the Board can write to the Chair of the Board…
Are disciplinary charges different than criminal charges?
- October 16, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Disciplinary/institutional charges are different than criminal charges. Prisoners who commit a criminal act can be charged under the Criminal Code, and the matter would be tried in a court. Prisoners can also receive disciplinary charges, which are administrative proceedings not…
Can prisoners challenge a penitentiary placement?
- September 12, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Federal prisoners are assessed over several weeks or months after they are transferred to a federal penitentiary. The prisoner’s parole officer then recommends a security classification (minimum, medium, or maximum) and penitentiary to place the prisoner in. The final classification/placement…
What can a prisoner do if denied parole?
- August 15, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
In the provincial and federal correctional systems, prisoners can appeal if they are denied parole. The appeal needs to be sent to the Parole Board of Canada’s Appeal Division (for federal prisoners) or to the Chair of the Ontario Parole…
What happens when prisoners breach their parole conditions?
- August 1, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Prisoners who are granted parole by the Parole Board of Canada (i.e. prisoners serving sentence of 2 years or more) or the Ontario Parole Board (i.e prisoners serving sentences of less than 2 years) must abide by any conditions imposed…
What is accelerated parole review (“APR”)?
- July 25, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Accelerated parole review (“APR”) is a simplified parole review procedure for federal prisoners. It was repealed several years ago, but prisoners may still be eligible if they were sentenced before March 27, 2011. Generally, prisoners have an in-person hearing before…
When do probation orders come into effect for inmates?
- February 15, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
A judge can impose a probation order in addition to a fine or term of imprisonment, but only if the term of imprisonment is less than 2 years. A probation order generally comes into force on the day the order…
Can a parole hearing be held after an offender’s parole eligibility date?
- February 2, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Offenders serving sentence of 2 years or more are entitled to a full parole hearing and can also apply for day parole. Offenders are advised of their eligibility dates during the intake process. An offender is entitled to a full…
What is a parole sponsor?
- January 11, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
A provincial inmate applying for parole will likely be asked by the Institutional Liaison Officer (“ILO”) and/or the Ontario Parole Board about who the inmate’s sponsor is. A sponsor is the person the inmate will be living with, if granted…
Do inmates need to apply for parole?
- January 5, 2020
- Kate Mitchell
- No comments
Inmates are automatically considered for parole or entitled to a hearing in some cases, but in other cases they need to apply. Regardless, inmates should speak with their Parole Officer or Institutional Liaison Officer about their parole eligibility and ensure…