The New South Wales state casualty record needs to be more transparent

The legal loophole that prevents the criminal justice system from warning New South Wales crime victims that their convicted attackers are being considered for release unfairly puts the interests of convicted criminals ahead of their victims, many of whom remain fearful or suffer from ongoing trauma.

Authorities take victims’ feelings into account when considering parole, but are unable to contact them. This responsibility rests with New South Wales Recovery Services Victims Registerbut Rule 22 prevents them from taking action unless victims first consent to contact.

The opt-in system causes pain for victims of criminals sentenced to 12 years or more.

Anomaly came to light this week when an off-duty policewoman who was hit with a brick in May 2009 by drug addict Roderick Holohan, who was sentenced to 21 years in prison, learned that her attacker was being considered for release. Former sergeant Samantha Barlow was left in the dark until the 11th hour when a friend contacted her about Holohan.

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A year ago, Barlow was furious when she learned that Holohan’s future in prison was being considered, and fearing their paths might cross if he was released, she quickly made a statement to authorities to keep him inside. “At a time when there is bipartisan support for action on violence against women at both the state and federal levels, the return to the community of a known violent criminal who attacked me while on parole for a prior offense is being considered,” Barlow said. the Herald after I found out that Holohan could be fired again.

Holohan, who was 39 when he attacked Barlow, spent years in prison for brutal attacks, often on women. The Serious Offenders Review Board concluded that Holohan should be recommended for release from prison, and its recommendation was forwarded to the state parole board. The state of New South Wales has formally opposed his release and the SPA will decide on his fate at a later date.

Corrective Services NSW, which oversees the register, said some victims found approaching parole “extremely worrying”. People who have not given consent are not contacted to avoid unnecessary anxiety.

Barlow, who returned to work after the attack but later left the service, said the system was back on track. “People who have just gone through the most traumatic experience of their lives are expected to have the logical thinking required to become part of the body that will one day be called for parole five, 10 or 15 years later,” she added. he said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns promised to change the victim registerunder the influence Herald story about Barlow. “The system is not good enough, so I would like to see changes because we need to be completely transparent with crime victims,” Minns said.

At this stage, many victims are spiraling out of control. The current system must be reversed, removing consent in favor of opt-outs and ensuring regular contact with victims to check whether they have changed their minds.

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