Inside the cloak and dagger operation of Kathleen Folbigg’s jail release to Glenreagh farm
Kathleen Folbigg jumped out of a prison van and into the arms of her longtime friend on Monday after she was pardoned and released from prison. Here’s the inside story on her first day of freedom in 20 years.
Police & Courts
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The decision to pardon and immediately release Kathleen Folbigg on Monday morning caught even those closest to her off guard.
Longtime friend and supporter Tracy Chapman couldn’t be reached when word came around 9am that Folbigg was “free to leave”, so an urgent plan B was made.
A media conference was scheduled in Sydney at 11.40am where NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley would announce Folbigg’s pardon, so in a bid to avoid a “media circus” at the prison, staff at Clarence Correctional Centre drove her to Chapman’s farm.
Amid crisp 12 degree country air, Folbigg was helped into a prison vehicle just after 11am, and driven about 50km from the jail near Grafton to Ms Chapman’s farm at Glenreagh.
Folbigg’s first words as she jumped out the Corrective Services van and straight into the arms of her close friend were”Oh my god”.
“I’m so elated it’s not funny. I’m nervous and I’m everything,” Ms Folbigg told 9 News.
“I’m still like, is this happening.”
“They threw me out,” Folbigg was heard gleefully exclaiming as the pair, hand in hand, walked along the grass at Ms Chapman’s Northern NSW property.
In a video filmed by Ms Chapman soon after and sent to 7 News, a beaming Folbigg thanked supporters.
“I can’t thank everybody enough, for all of the support and all the hard work that’s gone into reaching this moment,” she said.
Ms Chapman also filmed Folbigg making a cup of tea dressed in fluffy pink slippers, where she shared it was the first time she had used a metal spoon in 20 years.
An excited Ms Chapman even hugged a prison staffer in the passenger seat and thanked him.
Later, Ms Chapman’s son came to collect a parcel outside the locked gate.
He said his mother had told him not to say much, but when asked about how Ms Folbigg was feeling he said “it’s going well”.
He said everyone was very excited.
The Daily Telegraph understands Folbigg was not aware of her pardon and release until Monday morning, leaving her not time to say a proper goodbye to inmates with whom she has become close friends.
A woman who claimed to have recently shared a cell with Folbigg posted on Facebook “Kathleen Folbigg’s been pardoned, my former celly and mate. Well done Kath”.
Later on Monday, a woman who did not wish to be named, but said she was a neighbour and a friend, pulled up outside the house.
“Is Kathleen free?,” she asked.
After hearing that she was, the woman responded: “I just can’t believe how much pain some people are forced to bear.”
As night fell, two tight-lipped security guards entered the property. Soon after, a Kia with two people inside was let through the gate.
Celebrity talent agent Nick Fordham was also seen entering the property.
The Daily Telegraph earlier revealed the Seven Network had secured an exclusive tell-all interview with Folbigg for at least $400,000.
Some have suggested the deal could be worth as much as $1 million.
Earlier this year, Ms Chapman said she had built a “sanctuary” on her farm for Folbigg if she was ever pardoned.
“What we’ve done for her is give her a sanctuary that she’s always wanted. Peaceful, quiet...surrounded by animals,” Ms Chapman said at the time.
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