26. (1) Where a person is eligible for parole, or is scheduled to become so eligible, whether for the first time or not, the Board shall notify the person in writing—

(a) of the date on which he or she became or shall become, as the case may be, so eligible, and

(b) that he or she may make an application for parole in accordance with subsection (3).

(2) The Board shall endeavour, insofar as is possible, to notify a person pursuant to subsection (1) no later than 6 months prior to the date on which he or she shall become eligible for parole.

(3) A person who is eligible for parole, or a person who is scheduled to become eligible for parole, may notify the Board in writing that he or she wishes to be considered by the Board for parole (in this Act referred to as an “application for parole”).

(4) Where a person who is scheduled to become eligible for parole makes an application for parole, the Board shall not consider the person’s release on parole prior to the date on which he or she becomes so eligible.