Key Takeaways
- James Vlassakis, the Snowtown serial killer, will remain behind bars after the South Australian Parole Board’s decision to release him was overturned.
- The Parole Administrative Review Commissioner, Michael David KC, found that releasing Vlassakis posed a risk to the community due to the gravity of his offending.
- Vlassakis had served 26 years of his life sentence for the murder of four victims in the "bodies in the barrels" serial killings in the 1990s.
- The SA Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, requested a review of the Parole Board’s decision, citing concerns about the safety of the community and the likelihood of Vlassakis complying with parole conditions.
- The Parole Board is seeking expert legal advice to determine whether the Commissioner’s decision was lawful and may apply for a judicial review.
Introduction to the Case
The Snowtown serial killer, James Vlassakis, will remain behind bars after the South Australian Parole Board’s decision to release him was overturned. In August, Vlassakis was granted parole after serving 26 years of his life sentence for the murder of four victims in the "bodies in the barrels" serial killings in the 1990s. However, SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher requested a review of the decision in October, citing concerns about the safety of the community and the likelihood of Vlassakis complying with parole conditions.
The Review Decision
The Parole Administrative Review Commissioner, Michael David KC, allowed the Attorney-General’s appeal, stating that releasing Vlassakis posed a risk to the community. In his written statements, Commissioner David noted that the gravity of Vlassakis’s offending, which included violent and premeditated crimes committed over a substantial period, made it inappropriate to release him at this stage. He also referenced Vlassakis’s behavior behind bars, including his cooperation and guilty pleas, but noted that these factors did not outweigh the risk he posed to the community.
Vlassakis’s Behavior and Rehabilitation
Commissioner David considered Vlassakis’s behavior behind bars, including his participation in a modified intervention program. Vlassakis had attended nine hours of the program between 2020 and 2021, but lawyers for the Attorney-General argued that more was needed to satisfy the safety of the community. Vlassakis’s lawyer, Lindy Powell KC, argued that he could undertake a 12-month rehabilitation process before his release, which Commissioner David noted was mandatory. However, Commissioner David was concerned that Vlassakis’s limited participation in the program and the lack of further treatment raised concerns about his ability to rehabilitate.
The Parole Board’s Response
The Parole Board chair, Frances Nelson KC, said that the board was seeking expert legal advice to determine whether Commissioner David’s decision was lawful. She argued that Commissioner David had effectively re-sentenced Vlassakis, which was not within his jurisdiction. The board may apply for a judicial review, depending on the advice received. Nelson also noted that the board had been denied procedural fairness, as it had not been allowed to give submissions at the review hearing.
Victims’ Rights and Community Safety
The SA Commissioner for Victims’ Rights, Sarah Quick, welcomed the decision, stating that it had provided reassurance to the families of the victims. She noted that the decision had helped to increase the victims’ sense of confidence in the justice system, but acknowledged that the families would still face stress and anxiety in the future when Vlassakis becomes eligible for parole again. Attorney-General Kyam Maher also emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims’ concerns and ensuring that the justice system has checks and balances in place to protect the community.
The Future of Vlassakis’s Parole
The Parole Board will determine when Vlassakis will be eligible to make a future application for parole. Attorney-General Maher noted that any future application would require the Parole Board to give reasons for its decision, which would be subject to review. The community can expect that the justice system will continue to prioritize public safety and the concerns of victims’ families in any future decisions regarding Vlassakis’s parole.
