Victims and safety to come first in new parole body

29/1/07
A safer and more transparent system for assessing parole has begun with the new Prisoners Review Board officially opening for business today.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said the new board would put community safety and the rights of victims first when making decisions on parole for prisoners.
"The new board will be required to consider community safety above all other factors when deciding a prisoner's eligibility for parole," Mr McGinty said.
"The board must assess what degree of risk a prisoner may pose to the community if released and if that prisoner is likely to re-offend while on parole."
The Attorney General said the new board would also be legally bound to take into consideration any issues or submissions from the victim.
"A victims' representative and an expert in victims issues have been appointed to ensure the board gains a proper insight into the victims' perspective," he said.
"This will ensure that victims of crime are given a greater voice in parole decisions."
Four police officers, a criminal prosecutor, psychologists and Aboriginal representatives have also been appointed to the board, which consists of a chairperson, two deputy chairs and 16 members.
Mr McGinty said the board members were primarily selected based on their clear understanding of the issues effecting victims of crime, Aboriginal people and other culturally diverse groups among Australians.
The new board will also be more transparent and accountable to the community, with the chairperson, District Court Judge Valerie French, having the capacity to publicly discuss board decisions.
A new website will also be available for the public to access information on parole processes.
The Prisoners Review Board replaces the Parole Board as recommended in the 2005 Inquiry into the Management of Offenders in Custody and in the Community, known as the Mahoney inquiry.
Judge French said the legislation governing the new board would improve parole processes and give the community greater confidence in parole decisions.
"The board now has a say in the management of long term prisoners and will make recommendations for a prisoner's participation in rehabilitation programs, early in their sentence," Judge French said.
"The board will also play a part in recommending prisoners for participation in re-socialisation programs."
Judge French said the board would have the ability to call on expert or professional assistance to help make decisions and board members would receive ongoing training and education.
"All of these measures will enable the board to make balanced decisions based on their understanding of current issues and long-term association with particular cases and prisoners," Judge French said.
The Prisoners Review Board website can be accessed at http://www.prisonersreviewboard.wa.gov.au
Attorney General's office - 9422 3000

Prisoners Review Board - Who's Who

Chairperson:
Judge Valerie French - is a graduate of The University of Western Australia and has practised law as a solicitor and barrister since 1973. A Judge of the District Court since 1994 and President of the Children's Court from 1999 to 2001, Judge French was formerly a Stipendiary Magistrate and Children's Court Magistrate. Whilst appointed as the chairperson of the Prisoners Review Board, Judge French retains her appointment as a District Court Judge.
Deputy Chairpersons:
Sandra De Maio - is a legal practitioner experienced in family law and, more recently, as a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in criminal law. Sandra has a real understanding of the difficulties and cultural barriers that face non-English speaking migrants.
Denzil McCotter - retired in 2003 after 25 years in the public service with notable appointments as the Director of Prisons, Director of Community Corrections and the Executive Director of Corrective Services. She is currently a member of the Board of RUAH, chairperson of the Child Death Review Committee, member of the Public Housing Review Panel and is an Adjunct Research Fellow of Curtin University of Technology.
Community Members:
Georgia Prideaux - was a member of the former Parole Board. She is an advocate for victims issues and holds the position of Director Harm Effected Rescue Organisation (HERO). She is studying psychology and justice as part of a degree. She is also a representative on the Supervised Release Review Board (SRRB) for juveniles and the Mentally Impaired Accused Review Board (MIARB).
Barbara Hostalek - is an indigenous person and practicing veterinary surgeon operating her own business. She brings to the board knowledge, experience and insight in culturally sensitive issues.
Guyatt Hall - is the Associate Dean (Research) School of Law, Murdoch University, with many years experience as a clinical and forensic psychologist. He is involved in research on high risk violent offending, and has published papers in this area.
Edward Casley - is an indigenous person of Yamatji descent. He has experience working in the criminal justice system and knowledge of programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Men Without Hats and sex offender counselling. He brings to the board a broad experience in the area of cultural diversity.
Stuart Flynn - has extensive qualifications, training, knowledge and experience in the fields of health and community care services. He was the first Western Australian to be awarded the Menzies Scholarship by the Australian-Britain Society which enabled him to travel to the United Kingdom to study services to victims of crime.
Merrilee Garnett - is a legal practitioner who has experience working with Aboriginal people while working as a native title lawyer throughout WA. She has an awareness of Aboriginal cultural issues and a broad understanding of issues such as unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness and housing.
John James - is a registered psychologist who was appointed to the Mental Health Review Board in January 2006. He is also a senior sessional member of the State Administrative Tribunal providing him experience in the objective determination process.
Rosa Lincoln - is a teacher currently employed by the Department of Education and Training as the District Director (Schools) Esperance. She currently sits on several boards and is the Ministerial Chair of the Rural, Remote and Regional Women's Reference Group. She has a formal board qualification indicating her ability to bring to the board a social justice perceptive.
Gretchen Norgard - is a counsellor and mediator and in her final year of a Bachelor of Psychology at Edith Cowan University. She has extensive knowledge of issues relating to victims of crime, domestic violence and gambling addiction and their effects in the community.
Janine Phillips - is a horticulturalist undertaking a Bachelor of Education degree at Curtin University of Technology. As an employer, she has managed a culturally diverse workforce that has given her an understanding of indigenous and overseas cultures, religions and customs.
Departmental Members:
Darren McCormack - has over 12 years experience with the Department of Corrective Services, including a period of two years as Secretary of the Parole Board. He is a Corrective Services delegate, representing the Adult Custodial division.
Ivan Sarich - a graduate in social work from Curtin University of Technology. He has over 30 years experience as a probation officer, community corrections officer and Community Justice Services manager. He is a Corrective Services delegate, representing the Community and Juvenile Justice division.
Richard Lane, Patrick McDonald, Garry Annetts, Paul Greenshaw - are serving police officers who bring to the board an extensive knowledge and experience in law enforcement and an understanding of criminal behaviour.