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Eligible Persons Register

The Eligible Persons Register is an automated database run by Victims Support Services that allows victims – if they choose – to be given information about an offender’s location and progress through the prison system.

Who can register

Anyone who is the victim of a violent crime, committed in Tasmania, where the offender has received a prison sentence by the courts can be included on the Eligible Persons Register.

A family member, or guardian, of the victim of crime can also apply to be on the register where a victim is deceased or under the age of 18 years old.

Access to victim’s information is limited to staff with a genuine and essential need to have such access and will not be available to offenders or other persons.

Information provided

The register provides the following information –

  • The location of the offender
  • The security classification of the offender
  • The offender’s release eligibility dates
  • Leave notifications – such as work release, education leave, reintegration, cultural and medical leave.
  • If the offender applies for parole
  • If the offender escapes custody
  • If the offender dies whilst in custody

Information provided to the register is confidential.

How often will I receive information?

Once we receive your registration form we will process the documentation and send you confirmation of your registration. We will then compile all relevant information and a covering letter regarding the offender with an attached “offender update report”.

From that point on, you will receive further correspondence if there are any changes or updates to the information you have previously been sent. It is not possible to predict how often this will happen, however, it is important to understand that notification can only be given once Victims Support Services have received notification.

Leave may be granted to prisoners for the purposes of resocialisation/reintegration, employment, education, work crews, cultural leave, community work, medical and compassionate leave. Registered victims are notified in advance of leave notifications, with the exception of emergency medical and compassionate leave. Notifications are sent by email, postal mail or in the case of an emergency, email or telephone call.

A victim may enquire about offender details at any time during the registration.

Contact us if you are unsure about the meaning or impact of any information we send you or published on this website.

How to register

Fill out the Eligible Persons Register Application Form (PDF, 59.7 KB) or the Eligible Persons Register Application Form (DOC, 171.5 KB) and lodge including a copy of ID with Victims Support Services.

Email: victims@justice.tas.gov.au

Postal address

Victims Support Services
Eligible Persons Register
GPO Box 825
HOBART TAS 7001

Parole

If you are registered on the Eligible Persons Register you are eligible to receive notification of an offenders application for a parole hearing.

The Parole Board meets regularly to consider applications for parole.

At the time of sentencing the Judge or Magistrate sets the non-parole period. An offender’s parole eligibility dates will be shown on the “offender update” provided upon confirmation of registration.

If parole is applied for and granted, the prisoner will be released back into the community under the supervision of a probation officer. Strict conditions are applied.

Parolees are taken as still being under sentence, and are subject to the conditions of their parole until the expiration of the parole order.

More information on parole is published on the Parole Board of Tasmania website.

Having your say

Registered victims will be given the opportunity to submit a Victim Impact Statement, which can be written by the victim or assistance can be provided by VSS to write this statement. This statement tells the Parole Board in the words of the victim how the crime affected them, how it continues to affect them, how they would feel about the release of the offender and what conditions they would like to see included in the offender’s parole order if the offender is granted parole. For example, NMC (non-contact clause) or exclusion clause. Preparation of a VIS is not compulsory, but is encouraged.

It is important to understand that decisions in relation to parole is at the discretion of the Parole Board.

A representative from the Eligible Persons Register will contact the Registered Victim on the day of hearing and advise the Registered victim of the hearing outcome.

Victims Support Services and the Parole Board work together to ensure that the needs of the victim are taken into account during the parole process.

Last updated: 30 March 2022