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VICTIMS of crime in Western Australia are to take a role in determining if and when their assailants are released from prison. Following months of criticism of the beleaguered WA justice and prison systems, Justice Minister John D'Orazio announced today the state Government had approved laws to allow a victims representative to take a place on the parole board. Board members will also be formally required to take into account submissions from victims of crime committed by the offender being considered for release. "For the first time, victims will have a direct impact on decisions about early release," Mr D'Orazio said. "I hope these changes will give added confidence and security to people whose lives have been irreversibly changed by crime." A victims representative would also be appointed on the Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board and the Supervised Release Review Board, Mr D'Orazio said. Several cases in recent months have trained the spotlight on the WA parole board, with community feeling growing after a series of prisoner escapes and jailhouse scandals. In March, the Government was forced to defend its decision to release serial pedophile Robert Ernest Excell from jail on the proviso he be deported to Britain, where he would live unsupervised despite a recognised risk of re-offending. In the same month, double murderer Brian William Edwards escaped after being placed in a minimum-security prison farm, and convicted serial rapist Paul Stephen Keating took a female prison officer hostage in Bunbury prison before repeatedly raping her. Mr D'Orazio then ordered a major inquiry into the failings of the Justice Department, with public hearings in front of retired New South Wales judge Dennis Mahoney due to start on Thursday. Today, victims advocate Georgia Prideaux welcomed the Government's plan to allow victims to put their case to parole board members. Ms Prideaux was the first person in WA to be granted a lifetime restraining order against her former partner after he raped and almost killed her and held her hostage at gunpoint. She was appointed to the state's Juvenile Supervised Release Review Board last year. "The board will actually hear the impact of the crimes on the victims, and ensure there will be an overall picture of the situation," Ms Prideaux said. Ms Prideaux's role as community representative on the Supervised Release Review Board will be extended for a further six months. AAP (7-6-2005) Tim Clarke |
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