Parole Act 2002

Parole and other release from detention - Release - Offences

71: Offence to breach conditions

You could also call this:

"Breaking parole rules is a crime and can lead to fines or prison time"

If you breach any standard release conditions or special conditions without a reasonable excuse, you commit an offence. You can be imprisoned for up to 1 year or fined up to $2,000 if you are convicted. The conditions are imposed by the Board, and breaching them can have serious consequences. You can still be recalled from parole or compassionate release if you are convicted and sentenced under this section. The rules about this offence are similar to those in the Crimes Act 1985, which you can read more about on the New Zealand legislation website.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM139307.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

70: Powers of court on appeal, or

"What the court can do when you appeal a decision"

71A: Offences related to drug or alcohol conditions, or

"Breaking parole rules about drugs or alcohol can lead to fines or imprisonment"

Part 1Parole and other release from detention
Release: Offences

71Offence to breach conditions

Every offender commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or to a fine not exceeding $2,000, who breaches, without reasonable excuse, any standard release conditions or any special conditions imposed by the Board.
The conviction and sentencing of an offender under this section does not limit the power to recall the offender from parole or compassionate release.

Compare

1985 No 120 s 107H(1), (3)

Notes

Section 71(1): amended, on 1 July 2013, by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
Section 71(1): amended, on 1 October 2007, by section 45(1) of the Parole Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 28).
Section 71(2): amended, on 1 October 2007, by section 45(2) of the Parole Amendment Act 2007 (2007 No 28).