A decision on whether Jon Venables should be released from prison following his recall will take "months", the Parole Board said.
Venables was recalled to prison last month, over alleged serious offences. A police investigation is continuing.
The Parole Board confirmed it had received papers relating to the recall.
The board's proceedings are separate from the police investigation which is ongoing.
The Parole Board said in a statement said the case of Venables had been referred to it by the Ministry of Justice.
"The Parole Board will now start the process of reviewing this case in the normal way. We are not able to set a timescale on the review, but will confirm when it has been concluded," it said.
Given that I was recalled and went before the Parole Board and was re-released within 4 months, why the delay in the Jon Venables case? Is the Parole Board too scared to reach a decison for fear of tabloid headlines?
Update: Parole: A view from inside
I think they can't decide until the criminal investigation has been completed.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate but something tells me that Venables will be treated considerably more harshly than another life-licenser. In a straight fight between the British tabloids and decency/common sense, the former usually end up on top.
Can't help thinking what this is doing to Venables' co-defendant. All this must be placing Robert Thompson under enormous strain. Call me a pathetic liberal idiot but in my opinion, those with NO sympathy for Thompson and Venables are somewhat disordered mentally.
Love the blog - it's great to see an 'insider's' viewpoint.
In the post below this story I question the Parole Board Chief's position of blaming the public for being risk averse in relation to tabloid headlines. In my view, it is the Parole Board which is too risk averse.
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the refreshing things about this Venables case is that it has shown that the public are not necessarily in the same mindset as people like Kelvin McKenzie! Indeed, many of us are more scared of the Daily Mail and The Sun than we are of people like Jon Venables!
ReplyDeleteWith a recidivism rate of 2% max for those on life license, the continuing wearying jitters of the Parole Board seem pathetic in the extreme.
This is worth a look...
ReplyDeleteParole: A view from inside