Parole is a concession not a right

Inmates would be able to leave prison midway through their sentence if accepted for parole under recommendations published yesterday.

However, in its 44 proposals, the Restorative Justice Task Force is suggesting that the judiciary should establish the minimum time a person sentenced for 20 years or more in prison had to serve before being considered for parole.

"Parole is to be considered as a concession and not a right," the task force, headed by Joe Gerada, former head of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, said.

Terrorists would not be eligible for parole and those sentenced for up to 12 months in jail would continue to benefit from remission on grounds of good conduct. The task force recommended changes in the structure of prison to separate those who were motivated to change from those who were not.

Victims would also be helped and supported through the judicial process. A victim support group had already been recommended in a White Paper on restorative justice.

"All recommendations are being considered," a spokesman for the Justice Ministry said.

The White Paper was published in February and proposed a parole system, the setting up of a victim support group and empowering the court to order community service and the payment of damages.

The task force received 35 submissions from the public and non-governmental organisations during a four-month consultation period.

A Bill is being drafted and will be presented first to Cabinet and then to Parliament before it comes into force next year.