An offender must usually serve the first third, or the first seven years, whichever is less, of any sentence of imprisonment before being eligible for full parole.
Different rules apply for offenders serving life sentences for murder or indeterminate sentences.
The sentencing court may also determine the period that offenders convicted of a serious drug offence or a violent offence must serve before becoming eligible for parole. In these cases, the court may specify that the portion of the sentence that must be served before parole eligibility is one-half or 10 years, whichever is less. Federal offenders generally become eligible for day parole six months before their full parole eligibility date or three years in cases of offenders serving life sentences. This will include eligibility dates for unescorted temporary absences, day and full parole and the projected statutory release date. CSC provides NPB with a complete package which includes details about the offender s previous criminal history, most recent offence, behaviour while incarcerated and evidence of change.