VPRS 10130 Parole Board Decisions

Full description

The Parole Board was established in 1956 under s 23(1) of the Penal Reform Act 1956, taking over the responsibilities of the abolished Indeterminate Sentences Board. The name of this agency was changed to the Adult Parole Board in 1960, presumably to distinguish it from the Youth Parole Board (established under s 27(1) of the Social Welfare Act 1960). The Adult Parole Board considered cases of people who were sentenced to imprisonment when a minimum term was imposed by the court. It was responsible for matters arising from breach of parole and the question of reparole.

The Board had the power to cancel the parole of persons and have warrants issued for their return to custody. If a person committed an offence during the parole period their parole was cancelled. The Board met on a weekly basis for most of the year to consider the cases of persons on parole. The Board also conducted interviews with persons after their release. Some persons on parole also attended meetings of the Board to receive reprimands and warnings about the importance of observing the conditions of parole.

This series is a record of the decisions reached by the Adult Parole Board about persons on parole at its weekly meetings. Each record begins with statistics, such as the number of persons released on parole that week. The decisions of the Board are then listed for each person considered. The parole conditions of or relevant decisions about clients of the Board are recorded next to their names.

It would seem that copies of these Decisions of the Adult Parole Board were distributed to Governors of the various prisons operating in Victoria, so that any prisoners whose cases were considered could be notified of the Board's decision.

This series was previously registered as Sundry Records - Adult Parole Board.