Legal Literacy Resources
Understanding Conditional Release & Parole

Parole does not shorten or end a court-imposed sentence. Instead, it changes where and how the sentence is served. An offender on parole serves the remainder of their sentence out in the community under strict supervision and specific conditions. If they violate these conditions, they can be immediately sent back to a federal institution/CSC facility. 

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is an independent administrative tribunal that has the authority to grant, deny, or revoke parole for federal offenders. While the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) manages the offender and makes recommendations to the Parole Board, the ultimate decision rests solely with the PBC. 

By law, the protection of society is the most important consideration in any release decision. The Parole Board will only grant parole if, in its opinion, the offender will not pose an "undue risk" to the public, and if the release will actively help the offender safely reintegrate into society as a law-abiding citizen. 

There are four main types of conditional release in the federal system: 

• Temporary Absences (ETAs/UTAs): Escorted or unescorted short-term releases for medical reasons, family contact, personal development, or community service.  

• Day Parole: Allows an offender to participate in community activities (like a job or school) but requires them to return nightly to a halfway house or correctional facility.  

• Full Parole: Allows the offender to live in the community under supervision full-time, usually residing at a private address.  

• Statutory Release: A legally mandated release (not decided by the Parole Board) for most offenders who have served two-thirds of their sentence.  

For most standard federal sentences, offenders become eligible to apply for full parole after serving one-third of their sentence or seven years, whichever is LESS. There is an important exception to this rule: offenders who are serving life sentences for murder have completely different eligibility timelines set by the sentencing judge. For example, a minimum of 25 years for 1st degree murder.

By law, statutory release requires that most federal offenders serve the final third of their fixed sentence in the community under supervision. It is not a parole decision, nor it is automatic The CSC can refer an offender to the Parole Board for "detention" past their statutory release date if there are reasonable grounds to believe they will commit an offense resulting death, serious harm, a sexual offense involving a child, or a serious drug offense before their sentence ends. Offenders who are serving life or indeterminate sentences are never eligible for Statutory Release. 

If an offender violates a condition, for example, failing a drug test, missing a meeting with their Parole Officer, or entering a restricted area, or if their risk level increases, their parole can be suspended. The offender will then be returned to custody, and the Parole Board will review the case to decide whether to cancel the suspension or officially revoke/deny their parole, keeping them at an institution. 

Members of the Parole Board will conduct a detailed review of all available information, including: 

• The offender’s criminal history and the severity of the offense. 

• Progress that has been made through rehabilitation programs at their institution.  

• Psychological and psychiatric assessments.  

• The offender's behavior inside the institution. 

• Victim Impact Statements.  

• A realistic, structured community release and risk-management plan.  

Yes. Victims can register with the CSC or PBC to receive updates about an offender’s status. They have the right to provide written Victim Impact Statements that describe the physical, emotional, or financial harm they have suffered. They can also request to read these statements aloud at the parole hearing, and they can request that the Board impose specific conditions on the offender, such as a geographic restriction preventing the offender from entering their area of residence. 

Yes. If an offender is denied parole, they have the right to appeal the decision to the Appeal Division of the Parole Board. Appeals must be submitted within a specific timeframe and are usually based on claims that the Parole Board failed in some way to apply the law in the correct manner in the offender’s particular case.