Killer Carl Williams allowed out of jail to help police

GANGLAND killer Carl Williams and his father George were taken from jail to a secret location for eight days to be quizzed about currently-serving corrupt police.

GANGLAND killer Carl Williams and his father George were taken from jail to a secret location for eight days to be quizzed about currently-serving corrupt police.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the pair was taken to a secret coastal location from December 21 to December 29 by Victoria Police ethical standards investigators.

The secret release is believed to have been authorised by Deputy Commissioner Simon Overland and Corrections Victoria management.

Pottymouth: Roberta Williams' sister lets fly

Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon was briefed on the operation.

Carl Williams, a four-time murderer subject to the state's highest security rating, was allowed several visitors during his stay. Victoria Police spokeswoman Nicole McKechnie last night refused to comment.

I hate Zarah, fumes Roberta

Carl Williams was spirited from Barwon Prison, near Geelong in Victoria, by the ESD detectives. He had been in the jail's Melaleuca section, the state's highest security prison area, where he is serving a minimum of 35 years.

On the same day, George Williams was released from Dhurringile Prison, near Shepparton, in the state's north.

Blog: Mercedes Corby vs Roberta Williams - who's more crass?

The Daily Telegraph believes they spent eight days together under tight guard at a secret coastal location about an hour from Melbourne. Detectives wanted to talk to them about what they know of currently-serving corrupt police officers.

Gallery: The Underbelly players

They returned to Corrections Victoria custody on December 29.

Father and son are believed now to be together in Melaleuca.

Carl Williams' release came a month after he was refused permission to attend his mother Barbara's funeral.

Mrs Williams died after taking a mixture of medication and champagne at her Essendon home in November. Carl Williams' request to be at the December 2 funeral was rejected by corrections authorities for security and public safety reasons.

It is believed George Williams, serving four years for large-scale drug trafficking, had joined his son at Barwon.

Corrections Victoria said it could not discuss the move for security reasons but there had been no preferential treatment.

Carl Williams, 38, and his 61-year-old father were prominent figures in Melbourne's bloody gangland wars.

The victims of Carl Williams were standover man and drug dealer Jason Moran, his father Lewis, amphetamine trafficker Michael Marshall and Melbourne criminal Mark Mallia.

In sentencing Carl Williams Supreme Court judge Betty King said there were "no other appropriate penalties for crimes of this nature". Carl Williams has launched an appeal against the severity of the sentence.

Source: The Daily Telegraph