Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals across Canada: Summary of Probation Officer, Corrections, and Parole Board Respondents
Appendix B: Self-Administered Survey of Parole Board Personnel
1. Please identify your position.
1 Parole Board member- 2 Regional communications officer
- 3 Hearing officer
- 66 Other (specify):
2. What role do you believe victims should have in conditional release decisions?
- Victim should be
- 1 Informed
- 2 Consulted
- Other (specify):
- 66
- Victims should not have any role
- 00
- Victim should be
3. Does the Parole Board generally provide the following information about the offender to victims who request it?
Offender's eligibility for conditional release
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Hearing dates for conditional release
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Release dates
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Conditions imposed on release
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Reasons for a release decision
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Destination of offender on release
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Suspension or revocation of release
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Whether the offender has appealed a Parole Board decision
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
Copy of decision by appeal division
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't know
- IF NO - Who, if anyone, typically provides this information to victims?
4. Does the Parole Board usually inform victims of the following? (Please check one)
The right to request information about the offender's parole eligibility and hearing
- 1 Yes, inform all victims
- 2 Yes, inform victims who have contacted the Parole Board
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
The ability to provide new or additional information to the Parole Board that the victim considers relevant
- 1 Yes, inform all victims
- 2 Yes, inform victims who have contacted the Parole Board
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
That any information they provide will be shared with the offender
- 1 Yes, inform all victims
- 2 Yes, inform victims who have contacted the Parole Board
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
The opportunity to attend Parole Board hearings as observers
(including the need to make an application)- 1 Yes, inform all victims
- 2 Yes, inform victims who have contacted the Parole Board
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
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 Yes, inform all victims
- 2 Yes, inform victims who have contacted the Parole Board
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
5. Do most victims of crime participate in the parole process by doing the following?(Check one)
Requesting information about the offender's parole eligibility and hearing
- 1 Yes, in most cases
- 2 Yes, only in serious cases
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
Providing new or additional information for use in conditional release decisions
- 1 Yes, in most cases
- 2 Yes, only in serious cases
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
Attending Parole Board hearings as observers
- 1 Yes, in most cases
- 2 Yes, only in serious cases
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
Presenting a statement in person or via audiotape or videotape for use in conditional release decisions
- 1 Yes, in most cases
- 2 Yes, only in serious cases
- 3 No
- 8 Don't know
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?
Assistance with making requests for information (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests)
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Victim notification once the victim has requested information
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Providing information about victim statements
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Assistance in preparing victim statements
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Assistance with making requests to attend Parole Board hearings as observers
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Accompaniment to parole hearings
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Other (please specify):
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
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?
Assistance with making requests for information (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests)
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Victim notification once the victim has requested information
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Providing information about victim statements
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Assistance in preparing victim statements
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Assistance with requests to attend Parole Board hearings as observers
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Accompaniment to parole hearings
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
Other (please specify):
- 1 Yes
- 2 No
- 8 Don't Know
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)
- 1 Written statement only
- 2 Victim reads statement in person
- 3 Victim presents statement via audiotape or videotape
- 66 Other (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.
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