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Victim Information Service The National Parole Board and the Correctional Service of Canada, Ontario Region, have established as of November 1995, a shared Victim Information Service which can be reached by calling: 1-800-518-8817 The Victim Information Service provides information to victims, their families and/or representatives on Federal Offenders (sentenced to 2 years or more) regarding: conviction(s) and length of sentence eligibility dates for Temporary Absence, Day Parole and Full Parole Statutory Release date dates of National Parole Board hearings procedures to observe at hearings how to obtain copies of National Parole Board decisions related information as permitted under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act Victims, their families, and/or representatives may wish to provide information or update a victim impact statement. The toll free line can be called anytime and an automated voice system will receive the caller's name, telephone number, and the name of the offender. An Information Officer will promptly return the call during regular working hours 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Legislation Governing the Release of Information The Corrections and Conditional Release Act differentiates between information about offenders that shall be provided to victims upon request and the information that may be disclosed to the victim. Section 142 (1) stipulates that, at the request of the victim, the authorities must disclose the offender's name, the offence of which the offender was convicted, the length of the sentence, and eligibility dates in respect of unescorted temporary absences or parole. If, in the authorities' opinion, the interest of the victim outweighs any invasion of the offender's privacy, the following may be disclosed: the offender's age, the location of the penitentiary in which the sentence is being served, the date on which the offender is to be released on unescorted or escorted temporary absences, parole or statutory release, the date of review hearings, any conditions of release, the destination of an offender when released on parole or statutory release, whether the offender is in custody and if not, why not, any appeal of a Parole Board decision and the result of that appeal. Furthermore, if an offender is transferred from a penitentiary to a provincial facility it is left to the discretion of the Parole Board to disclose or not to disclose the name of the province in which the facility is located. The Corrections and Conditional Release Act clearly places the offender's right to privacy ahead of the victim's right to information. copyright © 2000 - CAVEAT last updated:  07.11.2000 - 12:36:32 EDT

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