Glossary

A pardon, now called a Record Suspension, is a formal recognition that a person, who was convicted of a criminal offence and has completed a sentence, has demonstrated law-abiding behavior in the community over a period of time.

Parole may be granted after the offender has served part of the sentence in an institution, allowing the offender to live in the community under conditions and supervision for the remainder of the sentence. The decision to grant parole is discretionary and is the responsibility of the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).

A face to face meeting between Parole Board members and the offender to assess the risk the offender may present to the community should he/she be granted conditional release.

Hearings usually take place in the institution where the offender is incarcerated. At the hearing, Board members review the case with the offender, the parole officer and the offender's assistant. The Board makes its decision by taking into account the criteria set out in the law. In most cases, Board members provide the decision and the reasons for the decision at the hearing.

An in-office review of an offender’s case conducted by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) to determine if the offender should be granted or denied parole. Victim statements may be submitted in writing and are considered during these reviews.

A decision made by the offender to reschedule their Parole Board of Canada (PBC) review to a later date.

The Privacy Act protects the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information. This Act governs the federal government’s collection, retention, use and disclosure of that information. It also provides individuals with a right of access to their personal information.

A sentence imposed by a judge, either as an alternative to incarceration or following a sentence in an institution. Probation allows a person to live in the community subject to specific conditions and to the supervision of a probation officer under provincial authority.