Snowtown murders accomplice Mark Ray Haydon to be released into community location ahead of end of 25-year prison term

It’s been more than 25 years since Mark Ray Haydon was last a free man with bills to pay. Now you’re going to pay them for him.

“Bodies in the barrels” serial killings accomplice Mark Ray Haydon has been released from custody, to an undisclosed location in the community, ahead of the end of his prison term.

And now he’ll be entitled to the same government benefits as other unemployed South Australians as he faces the prospect of trying to make a living on the outside.

Haydon, who is 65, is eligible for up to $816.90 from Centrelink a fortnight and while under the Department’s supervision in the community he costs over $25 a day.

Once aged 67, Haydon may be eligible for the age pension, which for a single person pays $1116.30 a fortnight.

On Friday, Parole Board chair Frances Nelson told The Advertiser that Haydon had been released from the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre.

A department for correctional services spokeswoman subsequently said Haydon had been “moved to a new address in the community” on Thursday.

Ms Nelson said the decision to move Haydon into the community, while still subject to his parole conditions and ahead of the end of his 25-year prison term, was made under careful consideration.

“Accommodation has been sourced for Haydon, it has been vetted by SA Police and the Department for Correctional Services, and approved by the Board,” she said.

“The location has been very carefully vetted – it is suitable for electronic monitoring, which is a condition of his interim supervision order – and will not be disclosed.

“The thinking behind releasing him now is to get him settled in the community while he is still subject to his parole conditions.

“I confirm the location is in the community – because, as of Monday or Tuesday next week, he is going to be in the community anyway.”

Haydon received a 25-year prison term for his role in covering up the serial killing spree. Picture: 7NEWS

The corrections department spokeswoman said: “It can be confirmed that Mark Haydon’s parole address was changed with the approval of the Parole Board, and he was moved to a new address in the community on Thursday 16 May, once the ISO conditions were confirmed by the court.”

The spokeswoman told the Advertiser in the event of a planned release, DCS can provide support to source post-release housing.

“In the absence of private accommodation being available, access to public housing can be sourced, as well as other external providers,” she said.

“Where required, DCS works with partner agencies, such as SAPOL, to ensure the housing is appropriate.

“Individuals under DCS supervision in the community have access to the same assistance in the community as is available to other community members.”

Through the pre-release program, prisoners have an opportunity to organise accommodation through external providers, charities or private rentals, as well as apply for jobs or Centrelink payments.

They can even work while on day release if they gain employment prior to their release.

The 2022-23 cost per offender per day under the Department’s supervision in the community is $25.09.

Mark Haydon walks from the Adelaide Pre Release Centre at Northfield. Picture: 7NEWS

Former prisoners are entitled to the same Centrelink payments as all other citizens.

A single JobSeeker recipient receives up to $762.70 a fortnight and this increases to $816.90 a fortnight if they are older than 55 years and have received income support for nine continuous months.

Once aged 67, a person may be eligible for the age pension, which for a single person pays $1116.30 a fortnight.

Haydon is on parole ahead of his scheduled release on May 21 – the expiration date of his 25-year prison term for covering up the infamous murder spree.

The government is seeking to have him placed on an extended supervision order after that date, which would see him subject him to continuing parole-like conditions.

Earlier this month, however, its lawyers told the court a key psychological report about Haydon would not be available until June or July.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court placed Haydon on an interim supervision order, almost identical to his existing parole conditions.

That order comes into effect upon the expiration of his sentence and continues at least until the hearing for an extended supervision order.

Under the terms of the interim order, Haydon must:

BE of good behaviour.

KEEP peace towards people and not commit any offence.

BE under the supervision of his Community Corrections Officer and obey their lawful directions.

RESIDE at an address nominated or approved by that officer, and not change that address without approval.

REPORT to the officer weekly and in person.

NOT depart or attempt to depart the state.

Haydon will be electronically monitored and must obey a 9pm to 6am curfew at his new address, which has not been disclosed. Picture: 7NEWS

SUBMIT to any testing as directed, including gunshot residue, alcohol and drugs.

ABSTAIN from alcohol.

NOT take any drug or medication that has not been prescribed to him.

ADVISE the officer of his prescriptions.

FOLLOW the officer’s directions as to whom he may associate with.

NOT attend any licensed premises.

NOT possess any part of, or ammunition for, a firearm.

NOT contact any of his victims’ families, his co-offenders or the media.

PARTICIPATE in rehabilitation and psychological treatment as directed by the officer.

PARTICIPATE in a psychological assessment.

WEAR an electronic monitoring device at all times and keep it fully charged.

CARRY a charged mobile phone with him at all times, while outside the Pre-Release Centre, so he can be contacted.

OBEY a curfew from 9pm to 6am every day.

Victims Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick told the Advertiser in a statement that it was a challenging time for the victims’ families who had spent months preparing for Haydon’s release.

“I have endeavoured to keep victims’ families and loved ones informed of any developments as soon as I become aware of them,” she said.

“I have no doubt it will be a difficult day for them.”

Ms Quick said she understands that the views of victims’ families were considered when appropriate accommodation for Mr Haydon was being considered, and their views were included in her submission to the Parole Board.

“Intense media attention can exacerbate the stress experienced by victims’ families and loved ones, while also negatively impacting an offender’s reintegration,” she said.

“The victims do not want anyone else harmed, and many understand that the chance of reoffending is minimised if Mr Haydon is permitted to get on with the task of reintegrating in the community.”

Inaugural Victims Rights Commissioner Michael O’Connell, who held the role from 2006 to 2018 and supported the families of victims of the Snowtown murders during that time, said victims “have a right to be kept informed” in relation to an offender’s release.

“So it’s important that they were told that his release was going to be early and (any) failure to do so may impair their confidence in whatever undertakings that have been given (by authorities),” he said.

“The victims’ families would want to be assured that they are not just words but genuine undertakings by the Parole Board and corrections, and where appropriate, the police to ensure the community is safe.”

Mr O’Connell said these undertakings would relate to things like supervision and assessments of Haydon.

He also said Haydon made the choice to be involved in “some of the most heinous crimes in our state’s history” and it was now incumbent upon him to prove that he can be trusted.