Parole
Parole is the early release of a prisoner who agrees to abide by certain conditions, originating from the French word parole ('promise'), and became associated during the Middle Ages with the release of prisoners who gave their word (of relative honour).

In New Zealand, unless the court has imposed a longer minimum non-parole period, all offenders serving sentences of more than two years become eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentence. To illustrate, a formal six-year sentence usually translates as two years served, inclusive of time on remand.

Those serving sentences of less than two years are released after serving half of their sentence. They are not seen by the Parole Board but may be subject to release conditions imposed by the court that sentenced them¹.

Recidivism
How bad is the recidivism in New Zealand? Research across a sample of offenders released from New Zealand prisons in 2002/03, indicated 49 percent were convicted of a new offence and were returned to prison at least once during the 48-months follow-up period². So one in two criminals goes on to not only re-offend, but complete the full gambit of re-offending, being caught, being convicted and being re-sentenced within a four year period following release. New victims are created. New pain, suffering and expense is levied upon society.

Right to Vote 
New Zealand is currently in the throes (under urgency) of giving the incarcerated (at least initially, those serving three years or less but likely all incarcerated) the 'right' to vote on societal governance, even while society recognises that their actions demand exclusion from that society (indeed, this 'right' is to be with a state guaranteed level of supervision and guidance to ensure enrolment and high participation). Those incarcerated are the criminals whose attacks on society (and creation of victims of society's responsible members) is of such grievous magnitude that exclusion is warranted.

Gangs,  Safety under Remand/Imprisonment and Legal Representation