South Australia’s parole system has been condemned by former director of public prosecutions Stephen Pallaras after Snowtown killer James Vlassakis was cleared for release.
Vlassakis, one of the men responsible for the notorious “bodies in the barrels” murders, is the youngest of the Snowtown killers. His release would make him the first serial killer in Australia to leave prison on parole.
A bid to block the decision was rejected on Tuesday. Vlassakis will be transferred from Mount Gambier Prison to a pre-release centre in Adelaide, where he will be allowed out on day release and prepared for life in the community.
Pallaras said the decision showed that South Australia’s parole system needed a radical overhaul and argued that Vlassakis should never return to the community.
“It’s just a horrendous decision and demands that we have a look at the system that allows him to walk free,” he said.
“I’m not looking for longer sentencing. But if you get ten years, you do ten years — not six and a half.”
The parole board described Vlassakis as an exemplary prisoner who had not been violent behind bars. Pallaras, however, said good behaviour in prison should not count in favour of releasing a four-time murderer.
Vlassakis tested positive for morphine in 2017, but the parole board said he did not currently have a drug problem. He has been warned that he will be returned to custody immediately if he fails a further drug test.
His parole conditions will include a curfew and a ban on contacting the victims’ families.
