How to register as a victim

What does it mean to "register" as a victim?

When victims "register" with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and/or the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) their personal information is retained and used to help the CSC and PBC provide information to the victim about the offender who harmed them while he or she is still serving their sentence.

The personal information registered victims provide is not shared with the offender and the offender will not be informed that the victim has registered.

Registration for victim notification does not expire. The file may be inactivated if any of the following occur:

• the offender's sentence expires; however, if the offender receives a subsequent federal sentence, the victim will be notified and asked if they want to receive ongoing notification again;
• the victim advises CSC or PBC that they no longer want to receive victim notification; and/or
• the offender dies while incarcerated or under CSC supervision in the community.

Why should victims register?

In Canada's current system, information about an offender's sentence or release dates is not automatically shared with the victim. Victims will only receive information about the offender who harmed them if they have registered with CSC or PBC and they request it.

Once a victim is registered with the PBC or CSC, he or she has the right to receive the following information upon request:

• the offender's name,
• the offence for which the offender was convicted and the court that convicted the offender,
• the date of commencement and length of the sentence that the offender is serving, and
• any eligibility dates and review dates applicable to the offender relating to escorted and unescorted temporary absences, day and full parole, statutory release and long term supervision orders.

In addition, the PBC can provide a copy of its decisions to victims who request it.

In certain cases, the PBC or CSC may also share the following information with a victim who requests it:

• the offender's age;
• the location of the penitentiary in which the sentence is being served;
• the date, if any, on which the offender is to be released on temporary absence, work release, parole, statutory release or long term supervision orders;
• the date of any hearing for the purposes of a detention review;
• any of the conditions attached to the offender's temporary absence, work release, parole, statutory release or long term supervision orders;
• the destination of the offender on any temporary absence, work release, parole, statutory release or long term supervision orders and whether the offender will be in the vicinity of the victim while travelling to that destination;
• whether the offender is in custody and, if not, the reason that the offender is not in custody; and
• whether or not the offender has appealed a decision of the Parole Board of Canada and the outcome of that appeal.

What if a victim is not interested in receiving certain information about the offender who harmed them?

Victims have a right to certain kinds of information about the offender who harmed them, but they also have a choice. If they do not want to receive all of the information they are entitled to, they can make these preferences known to the PBC or CSC, who will ensure it is marked clearly on their file.

If a victim does not want to receive information directly, they can appoint, in writing, a representative or agent to receive the information on their behalf.

How to register as a victim

To become a registered victim, you must complete a request form with either the Correctional Service Canada or the Parole Board of Canada.

Registration forms can be accessed online at
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/frmlrs/pdf/npb0031e.pdf (Correctional Service Canada — Victim Request for Information) and/or
http://pbc-clcc.gc.ca/forms/pdf/npb0031e.pdf (Parole Board of Canada — Information Request for Victims).

Completed registration forms may be emailed to victims-victimes@csc-scc.gc.ca or mailed to the PBC.

Questions or concerns?

To learn more about victim services and your rights, or to obtain application forms, contact the CSC Victim Services Division toll free at 1-866-806-2275 or the PBC at 1-866-789-4636.