EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

PAROLE OF PRISONERS ORDINANCE 1971

No. 3 of 1971

	The purpose of this Ordinance is to give to the Courts of the Australian Capital Territory the power to fix a minimum term of imprisonment to be served by an offender sentenced to be imprisoned for not less than twelve months in respect of an offence against a law of the Territory.

	The Ordinance provides for the release of an offender on parole after he has served the minimum term so fixed and empowers a court to take further action in the event of a breach of the parole conditions.

	The Ordinance will accord to persons imprisoned by courts of the Australian Capital Territory treatment comparable with that given to persons sentenced in New South Wales, in which State Territory prisoners serve their sentences.

	Similar legislation is also operating in Victoria and West Australia and the parole system is now regarded as an essential adjunct to the sentencing powers of courts.