Providing information to the PBC

Victims may submit information to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) at any time related to safety concerns, the offender's risk to re-offend and/or the effect the crime has had on them, their family, or the community.

A victim can also request that special conditions be imposed on the offender's release for the PBC to consider.

Victims can also choose to provide a victim statement detailing the physical, emotional or financial impact the offence has had on them, as well as any other information they think may be relevant.

How does the Parole Board use information provided by victims?

Information provided by victims assists PBC Board members to understand the seriousness of the offence and to assess whether the offender recognizes the harm they have done.

More specifically, this information helps the Board assess:

• if the offender is likely to re-offend if released on conditional release; and
• if additional conditions are necessary to manage the offender's risk in the community, especially if the offender will be living near the victim or is a member of the victim's family. The Parole Board may, for example, impose a special condition for no contact with the victim(s).

Is a victim's personal information shared with the offender?

By law, the PBC must disclose any information to the offender that will be considered during the decision-making process, including information provided by the victim, or a summary of that information.

If a victim has changed their name since the crime and they do not want the offender to know their new name they should advise the PBC.

Personal information about a victim, such as their address and telephone number, is not shared with the offender.

How can a victim submit information about an offender to the PBC?

Victims may provide information to the Parole Board of Canada at any time related to safety concerns, the offender's risk to re-offend and/or the effect the crime has had on them, their family, or the community.

Victims should send the information to the PBC regional office nearest to them, or contact a Regional Communications Officer (RCO) in their region by calling 1-866-789-INFO (1-866-789-4636) (toll free).