Can an observer participate in the hearing?
As a general rule, the NPB welcomes observers and will make every effort to accommodate them. Occasionally, however, the Board may deny a request if it believes an applicant: • is likely to disrupt the hearing, or if his/her presence or the presence of any other observers, is likely to affect adversely the Board’s ability to assess the case • might affect adversely someone who has provided information to the NPB, including victims or members of the victim’s or offender’s family • is likely to upset the balance between the observer’s interests and the public’s interest in the successful return to society of the offender as a law-abiding citizen • may put the security and good order of the institution at risk; and • if the person is under 18 years of age (with rare exceptions) The NPB can also deny permission to a person to attend a hearing if: • several observers have been approved and more cannot be accommodated because of limited space • the application to attend was received too late
