State Government under pressure after convicted murderer Tara Kehoe walked away from pre-release program

THE State Government is under pressure to explain how a convicted murderer, serving time in jail for the brutal gang killing of a teenage girl, is able to escape from prison and disappear.

• Convicted murderer walks away from pre-release work program

THE State Government is under pressure to explain how a convicted murderer, serving time in jail for the brutal gang killing of a teenage girl, is able to escape from prison and disappear.

Deputy Liberal Leader Vickie Chapman said it was “unacceptable” that Adelaide Women’s Prison inmate Tara Kehoe remains at large after she wandered away from a pre-release program on October 7.

Kehoe, now in her late 30s, was among a gang of five teenagers who killed 18-year old Tracey Muzyk in December 1996.

Ms Muzyk was burned with cigarettes, scalded with boiling water and sprayed with mace at Royal Park before she was stabbed with a fence post and beaten with a rock.

Kehoe, who had just turned 18 at the time of the murder, was given a non-parole period of 18 years but her sentence was reduced to 15½ years on appeal.

Convicted killer Tara Kehoe walked away from a pre-release program at Adelaide Women’s Prison. Source: SAPOL

Despite her violent history, police described Kehoe as a “low-risk” prisoner who was close to being eligible for release from prison.

Ms Chapman said Kehoe should never have been able to walk away from a pre-release program and disappear.

“She’s in a work environment (where) she’s supposed to be supervised and she just walked out of the place,” she said.

Ms Chapman said it appeared “nobody seems to really give a toss” that Kehoe was still one the run.

“I find it incredulous that they couldn’t pick her up in an hour,” she said.

“I want some answers from the minister as to what’s going on (and) whether there’s any active attempt to find her.”

Ms Chapman said the situation was “consistent with them not caring (about) apprehending her because she’s getting close to (her) release (date) and they’ve got an overcrowding problem”.

She also questioned the validity of the assertion the inmate was “low risk,” saying if she had been rehabilitated she would not have absconded.

Acting Correctional Services Minister Kyam Maher said authorities were searching for Kehoe.

“The Department for Correctional Services and SA Police take incidents of this nature very seriously and are doing everything possible to locate the prisoner and return her to custody,” he said.

“Following her return, Ms Kehoe will face police charges and her behaviour will be considered by the parole board.”

Kehoe’s escape came after three inmates attempted to break out of Port Augusta Prison last month tunneled under a fence and hot-wired a truck before they were discovered by authorities.

And wanted man Robert Rigney was on the run for 76 days before being arrested last month. Rigney was on day release for a funeral and presented himself back at Yatala Labour Prison before he grew tired of waiting to be processed back in, left, and went to a police station, but was not picked up.

Kehoe is 170cm tall, 65kg with long straight brown hair and was wearing a black long sleeved T-shirt when she went missing.

Anyone who see Kehoe or who may have any information that can assist police is asked to call 131 444.