Report comment

Please fill in the form to report an unsuitable comment. Please state which comment is of concern and why. It will be sent to our moderator for review.

Comment

By all means have a review of the way the Parole Board operates and the framework within which it does so. But, under the present system, the PB had no option, once the recommended minimum sentence had been served, but to consider whether the convict was suitable for release on licence on the normal criteria to which it has regard. These do not include the gut feeling of the public (no doubt very real here) that the prisoner has not served enough time to atone for his appalling crimes. The fault lies in the surprisingly short (many would think) minimum sentence that was fixed at the time of his sentencing, and the absence of any appeal against that sentence by the AG at the time. Attacking the PB in these circumstances, for not keeping the convict in gaol when a careful review of the case tells them that he should now be released on licence, is simply trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Your details

Cancel