Victims’ rights when the offender is imprisoned

If an offender is sentenced to prison, eligible people can register to be placed on the victims register. The victims’ register is managed by Queensland Corrective Services. Eligible people will be notified of information about the offender.

Eligible people include:

• a victim of a violent or sexual offence
• an immediate family member of a victim who has died because of a violent or sexual offence
• the parent or guardian of a person who was a victim of a violent or sexual offence and is under 18 years or has a legal incapacity
• a person whose life or physical safety may be endangered because of a history of violence by the offender or because of a connection to the offence.

There are two different registers – one for adult offenders, and the other for youth offenders.

If the offender is an adult, eligible people will be kept informed of information about the offender, including:

• the offender’s period of imprisonment
• the offender’s eligibility or actual date for release
• information about parole applications
• the escape of the offender from custody or whether the offender is unlawfully at large.

For more information, a victim or person can phone 1800 098 098 (freecall) or visit Victim Information Register – Adult.

If the offender is a youth offender (under 18 years of age) and is sentenced to youth detention, registered people will be kept informed of information including:

• if the offender is transferred to an adult prison
• the offender’s period of detention
• when the offender is eligible for or due for release.

For more information, a victim or person can phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit Victim register- youth.

Opportunity to make written submissions to the parole board

People registered on the victims register will be written to if an offender they are registered against applies for parole. They will be given the opportunity to write to the parole board and provide information which will be considered as part of the decision to grant parole to the offender, or any parole conditions.

Relevant legislation is the Corrective Services Act 2006, Youth Justice Act 1992 and Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.

Last updated:

19 February 2024