Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals Across Canada

Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)


Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)

Self-Administered Questionnaires for Survey of Parole Board Personnel

  1. Please identify your position.
    • 1Parole Board member
    • 2Regional communications officer
    • 3Hearing officer
    • 66Other (specify)
  2. What role do you believe victims should have in conditional release decisions?
    • 1 Victim should be informed
    • 2Victim should be consulted
    • 66 Other (specify)
    • 00Victims should not have any role
  3. Does the Parole Board generally provide the following information about the offender to victims who request it?
      Yes No Don't know IF NO - Who, if anyone,
    typically provides this
    information to victims?
    Offender's eligibility for conditional release 1 2 8
    Hearing dates for conditional release 1 2 8
    Release dates 1 2 8
    Conditions imposed on release 1 2 8
    Reasons for a release decision 1 2 8
    Destination of offender on release 1 2 8
    Suspension or revocation of release 1 2 8
    Whether the offender has appealed a
    Parole Board decision    		 1 2 8
    Copy of decision by appeal division 1 2 8

  4. Does the Parole Board usually inform victims of the following? (Please check one)
      Yes, inform
    all victims    		 Yes, inform victims
    who have contacted
    the Parole Board    		 No Don't know
    The right to request information about the offender's parole eligibility and hearing 1 2 3 8
    The ability to provide new or additional information to the Parole Board that the victim considers relevant 1 2 3 8
    That any information they provide will be shared with the offender 1 2 3 8
    The opportunity to attend Parole Board hearings as observers
    (including the need to make an application)    		 1 2 3 8
    The opportunity to present a statement at the parole hearing in person or via audiotape or videotape (including the need to make an application) 1 2 3 8

  5. Do most victims of crime participate in the parole process by doing the following?(Check one)
      Yes, in
    most cases    		 Yes, only
    in serious cases    		 No Don't know
    Requesting information about the
    offender's parole eligibility and hearing    		 1 2 3 8
    Providing new or additional information for use in conditional release decisions 1 2 3 8
    Attending Parole Board hearings as observers 1 2 3 8
    Presenting a statement in person or
    via audiotape or videotape for use in
    conditional release decisions    		 1 2 3 8

  6. Do you think that there are any obstacles to victims' participation in the parole process?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 6a. If yes, what are the obstacles? (Please check all that apply)
      • 1 Victims are not aware of the ways they can participate
      • 2 Victims do not know when an application is required (e.g., for attending hearings or presenting a statement)
      • 3 Support services for victims during the correctional or parole process are insufficient
      • 4 Victims are unaware of support services available
      • 5 There is a lack of funding to assist victims who want to attend parole hearings
      • 66 Other (please describe)
  7. What services, if any, does the Parole Board provide for victims?
      Yes No Don't know
    Assistance with making requests for information
    (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests)    		 1 2 8
    Victim notification once the victim has requested information 1 2 8
    Providing information about victim statements 1 2 8
    Assistance in preparing victim statements 1 2 8
    Assistance with making requests to attend Parole Board hearings as observers 1 2 8
    Accompaniment to parole hearings 1 2 8
    Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns 1 2 8
    Other (please specify)
    		 1 2 8

  8. Are you aware of other victim service organizations that assist victims with the parole process?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No

    • 8a. If yes, what services do these organizations provide?
        Yes No Don't know
      Assistance with making requests for information (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests) 1 2 8
      Victim notification once the victim has requested information 1 2 8
      Providing information about victim statements 1 2 8
      Assistance in preparing victim statements 1 2 8
      Assistance with requests to attend Parole Board hearings as observers 1 2 8
      Accompaniment to parole hearings 1 2 8
      Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns 1 2 8
      Other (please specify) 1 2 8
  9. Does the Parole Board refer victims to available victim services?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  10. After an offender is sentenced, do you think there is a service gap in connecting victims to services available in corrections/parole?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 10a. If yes, what can be done to improve the situation?
  11. Does the Parole Board generally grant victim requests to attend hearings as observers?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  12. When might the Board not permit a victim to attend a hearing?


    The following questions are about victim impact statements submitted at trial.

  13. Are victim impact statements submitted at trial always provided to the Parole Board?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  14. Who provides the victim impact statements to the Parole Board? (Please check all that apply)
    • 1 Victim
    • 2 Crown
    • 3 Court
    • 66 Other (please specify)
    • 8 Don't know

    The next question is about victim statements presented directly to the Parole Board.

  15. What is the most common method for submitting a victim statement? (Check one)
    • 1Written statement only
    • 2Victim reads statement in person
    • 3Victim presents statement via audiotape or videotape
    • 66Other (specify)

    Question 16 asks about the Parole Board's use of victim information.

  16. Does the Parole Board use the following victim information in making conditional release decisions?
    Victim impact statements at trial 1 Yes 2 No 8 Don't know
    New or additional information that the victim considers
    relevant and provides to the Parole Board    		 1 Yes 2 No 8 Don't know
    Formal victim statements to the Parole Board 1 Yes 2 No 8 Don't know

    • 16a. Please explain how the information is used.
  17. Do parole officers usually provide the Parole Board with information about victim concerns in their assessment for decision?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  18. Does the Parole Board generally impose special conditions on the offender as part of the conditional release? (Please check all that apply)
    • 1 Yes, generally impose special conditions to protect specific victim (e.g., no contact order)
    • 2 Yes, usually impose other special conditions
    • 3 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 18a. If no, please explain.
  19. Do you have any suggestions for additional services/service improvements that would assist victims and encourage their participation in the parole process?


  20. Do you have any other comments?

Do you have responsibility for the following locations(s)? (Check all that apply.)
1 [SITE]

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Please return the questionnaire by faxing it back to us toll-free at:

1-800-717-5456