Killers who refuse to disclose where they hid their victim’s body could still be freed from jail despite new laws introduced in a bid to deny them parole.
Martin Jones, the chief executive of the Parole Board, made the warning ahead of Helen’s Law coming into force early next year.
Although prisoners will be questioned, and failure to co-operate may not work in their favour, the Parole Board must release them if it is decided they are no longer a risk to the public, according to Mr Jones.
He told the PA news agency: “This is a really difficult area.
Killers who refuse to disclose where they hid their victim’s body could still be freed from jail despite new laws introduced in a bid to deny them parole.
Martin Jones, the chief executive of the Parole Board, made the warning ahead of Helen’s Law coming into force early next year.
Although prisoners will be questioned, and failure to co-operate may not work in their favour, the Parole Board must release them if it is decided they are no longer a risk to the public, according to Mr Jones.
He told the PA news agency: “This is a really difficult area.
K
illers who refuse to reveal where they hid the body of their victim could still be freed despite the introduction of Helen’s Law which is aimed at denying them parole.
Helen’s Law, which is officially called the Prisoners (Disclosure of Information about Victims) Bill, will not bar the release of killers from jail if they do not reveal where they hid their victim’s body.
However the bill, which gained royal assent last month and is due to come into force next year, will make it a legal requirement for the Parole Board to consider this factor when deciding if a criminal is safe to be released.
Helen s Law will not prevent release of killers who do not reveal location of victims bodies
Head of Parole Board says law would not stop release of killers or paedophiles if it was judged they no longer posed risk to public
23 December 2020 • 6:00am
Murder victim Helen McCourt, killed by pub landlord Ian Simms, who was convicted by a jury three decades ago on overwhelming DNA evidence of abduction and murder
Credit: Family handout/PA Wire
Helen s Law will not stop killers who refuse to reveal where they hid the bodies of victims being released from jail, the head of the Parole Board has admitted.
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