Dangerous criminals who commit the most heinous crimes could remain behind bars for up to 10 more years under new laws announced by the Queensland Government.
Under the changes, restricted prisoner laws will be expanded to apply to all prisoners serving a life sentence.
Currently, the Parole Board is only allowed to apply restricted prisoner laws to child killers and murderers who kill more than one person.
An independent review of the Parole Board concluded that the parole system was putting the rights of criminals ahead of the safety of the community.
It also found that victims were not supported or appropriately considered during the parole process.
The review highlights the need for improved decision-making and stronger engagement with victims in the parole process to ensure the Board has the information it needs to determine whether a prisoner should be released on parole.
The Government announced this week it would support, in principle, 31 of the review’s 46 recommendations.
These included:
- Legislative changes to ensure community safety is the paramount consideration when deciding if an offender should be granted parole.
- Victim submissions must be considered by the Board during all stages of a parole application and the time to provide a response is extended.
- Victims are to be notified when parole is granted and information sharing between a victim and the Parole Board is improved.
- Parole Board decisions can be published if they are in the public interest
- Improved transparency and governance of the Parole Board.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber said the changes meant the most dangerous, violent offenders, like murderers, rapists, and paedophiles who committed the most heinous crimes could remain behind bars for up to 10 more years.
“The Parole Board must be empowered to deliver decisions in line with community expectations that also make Queensland safer,” she said.
