The corrections minister has vowed to fix a glaring loophole after discovering no single agency was responsible for informing victims about their attackers’ parole.
The Minns government has vowed to plug one of the glaring loopholes in the state’s justice system after discovering no single agency was responsible for informing victims when their attackers were due for parole.that decorated police officer Samantha Barlow had not been notified by agencies about her attacker’s impending release, Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong found that victims of crimes were discovering the opt-in register only via support groups or friends.
“I am very sorry to learn that this did not occur in the case of Samantha Barlow, and so we are looking at ways we can improve how victims are notified about the register.”Chanthivong’s proposed solution does not go as far as Barlow would like. She urged the NSW government to ensure victims of serious indictable offences – those punishable by a sentence of five years’ jail or more – to be automatically added to the register, and only be removed if they apply to opt out.
Commissioner of Victims’ Rights Annette Farrell said: “Whether the system is opt in or opt out, the important issue is that victims are informed of and understand their rights and the process for exercising them.” “In situations like this, it’s clear they are given no information and left in the dark. You don’t have to go full chapter and verse, but you should notify them of the parole hearing coming up.”Responsibility should fall under the Department of Communities and Justice and the Attorney-General, Toole said, adding that funding should be increased if resourcing was part of the problem.
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