The Victorian government has introduced new legislation restricting parole for dangerous offenders, meaning that serial killer Paul Denyer will likely spend the remainder of his life behind bars.
For the 1993 killings of Debbie Fream, 22, Elizabeth Stevens, 18, and Natalie Russell, 17, the Frankson killer received three life sentences.
In May, Denyer was eligible for parole; however, his application was denied. As a result, the victims’ families worked to modify the law to prevent Denyer from applying again.
The government of Victoria has declared that legislation aimed at “further restricting parole for prisoners convicted of murder, killing children, and serious sexual offences” will be approved by parliament tomorrow.
The measures, according to the administration, will spare victims and their loved ones the agony of having to relive their horror over and over again.
Legislation designating Denyer as “terminally ill or incapacitated” will prevent him from being freed from prison.
Natalie’s father, Brian Russell, expressed his happiness at the outcome. “A tremendous weight has been lifted off our shoulders,” Russell stated. “The work done by the Attorney General is excellent.
“This legislation looks at the parole system as a whole, so Denyer won’t see the light of day again. There are some good changes which will benefit people who have been in our situation.”
Parole is not a right, according to Minister of Corrections Enver Erdogan. “People who commit unimaginable crimes belong behind bars – not back on our streets,” Erdogan stated.
“We’ve listened to victims and their families who have been forced to relive their trauma through a perpetrator’s parole application.”They deserve more and they deserve to know for sure.”
According to Attorney General Jaclyn Symes, the victims’ families are still in mourning.
“These changes can’t heal their pain but they can provide the certainty he won’t hurt another woman again.”
It will also be prohibited for inmates serving life sentences to petition for parole after their initial application has been denied.
The Victorian government stated in a statement that the legislation will grant the adult parole board the authority to designate “restricted prisoners,” who will be “unable to apply for release for between five and ten years after serving the non-parole period of their sentence.”
“The legislation follows new advice from the Solicitor-General, and is worded in the same terms used to keep Hoddle Street killer Julian Knight and Russell Street bomber Craig Minogue in jail.”
