Drug use – mainly ice – was a factor in 58 per cent of parole cancellations in 2021-22

The father of murdered woman Courtney Herron says it’s never been easier for dangerous prisoners in Victoria to get parole, raising fears lives are being put at risk.

Paroled prisoners are being put back behind bars for drug taking. Photo: John Gass

More than 70 dangerous prisoners who were released early were thrown back behind bars for drug-fuelled breaches of parole last year.

A total of 125 of the state’s inmates had their parole cancelled by the Adult Parole Board in 2021-22 after authorities found their risk to the community was increasing.

New data reveals drug use – mainly ice – was at least one of the factors in 58 per cent of cancellations, as its consumption is considered a significant risk of escalation to more serious offending.

Prisoners being charged with, or found guilty of, a further offence was a factor in one in five annulments. Five people were convicted of committing a serious violent or sexual offence while on parole, down from 60 in 2013-14.

The state’s parole system was the subject of intense scrutiny after Jill Meagher’s murder in 2012, when it was revealed killer Adrian Bayley breached parole at the time.

Adrian Bayley breached parole before murdering Jill Meagher.

The state’s parole system was the subject of intense scrutiny in the aftermath of Jill Meagher’s 2012 murder.

Three independent reviews led to extensive legislative and administrative reforms to the system.

Criminal lawyer John Herron said data could often be skewed and often parole was cancelled due to non-attendance in court.

“It has never been easier in Victoria to get parole, particularly for serious crimes,” Mr Herron said.

“To release dangerous prisoners with limited to no supervision is a dangerous cocktail that puts lives at risk and makes the streets of Melbourne dangerous.”

Mr Herron’s daughter Courtney was murdered in 2018 in Royal Park by boyfriend Henry Hammond, who was meant to be behind bars serving a 10-month sentence over another assault at the time of the deadly attack. He had been released on a community correction order after successfully appealing that his prison term was excessive.

Criminal lawyer John Herron’s daughter Courtney was murdered by Henry Hammond. Picture: Alex Coppel

A source recently released from Port Phillip prison said the number of cancellations did not surprise him.

“Since leaving jail, I have not heard from one person or government agency,” he said.

“You walk out the door when your sentence is up and that’s it.”

A spokesman for the parole board said more than three-quarters of prisoners successfully completed their parole.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said: “The Victorian recidivism rate has remained lower than the national rate for the last five years.”

It comes as opposition spokesman for corrections, Brad Battin, slammed the state government for preparing to slash hundreds of jobs across Victoria’s corrections system as it scrambles to rein in the state budget. “We know the real impact of this is less rehabilitation and … more criminals coming out more violent than they went in.” he said.