Parole secrecy shields criminals freed from jail early in Victoria
EXCLUSIVE: A VEIL of secrecy is shielding criminals freed from jail early on parole with the community not allowed to know they are roaming the streets.
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A VEIL of secrecy is shielding criminals freed from jail early on parole with the community not allowed to know they are roaming the streets.
Changes have quietly been made to the law that now prevents the Adult Parole Board releasing information on when some of our worst criminals are set free to serve out their sentence in the community.
The board has refused to answer questions about prisoners who could be granted parole since November 2013.
Those who have been released in the past two years include high-profile drug chief Mohammed Oueida, shot on April 17 outside a mosque in Coburg; Hells Angel Peter “Skitzo” Hewat; killer and escapee John Lindrea, and gangland figures.
Lindrea breached parole and was returned to jail after going on the run.
Those who could walk out this year include terror plotter Abdul Nacer Benbrika and underworld drug boss David McCulloch, who are likely to be deported, trigger-happy Mohammad Keshtiar and high-profile ex-bikies Terrence Tognolini and Toby Mitchell.
The clampdown on information sharing means only victims who apply to be on a register can know a release date.
After questioning from the Herald Sun about the law change, Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney promised to review the decision made under the previous Liberal government.
“The government is happy to look at changes, but community safety, victims’ rights and their privacy will always remain our priority when it comes to parole,” she said.
Critics and victims of crime have lashed out at the new position and say it is so the parole board body can cover up controversial releases.
Victoria’s parole board came under criticism after the murder of Jill Meagher.
It triggered a review by former High Court Justice Ian Callinan, who recommended 23 wideranging changes to parole laws.
The way the legislation is written, only the prisoner or Corrections Minister can reveal if a person has been granted parole.
Heartbroken mum Noelle Dickson, whose daughter Sarah Cafferkey was killed by convicted murderer Steven James Hunter only days after his parole expired, said the Adult Parole Board needed to be more transparent.
“If the parole board is genuine about the protection of the community, it is of the utmost importance the public are aware of when criminals are being released into the community,’’ she said.
The board refused to answer questions on the changes.
“Due to strict confidentiality provisions in the Corrections Act 1986, the Adult Parole Board is unable to comment on specific cases,” board spokesman David Klotz said.
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