The NSW Parole Authority has told staff of a Surry Hills halfway house they will be responsible for preventing an HIV-infected murderer spreading the disease when she is released as early as next week.
"Maddison Hall is the beneficiary of a bizarre decision by the Parole Authority last week to unleash her on the community almost immediately at the completion of her minimum sentence," said Shadow Justice Minister Andrew Humpherson today.
"This Government is washing its hands of responsibility," Mr Humpherson said.
"Just months after the Parole Authority ruled against release, it has decided to release Hall after years of segregation in Malawa women's prison.
ReplyDelete"In its determination to grant parole, the Authority has imposed the condition that staff of the halfway house, Foley House prevent sexual contact between Hall and anyone she may infect.
It has ruled;
" … provided she can be strictly supervised to prevent attempts of sexual contact with third parties of a kind that could seriously imperil the health of such third parties, due to the nature of the inmate's medical condition, it would seem to be in both the inmate's and the community's interest that she be released on parole under such supervision, rather than serve out the remainder of her term in custody.."
"This is an unbelievably callous decision by the Parole Authority," Mr Humpherson added.
"It is not only callous, it is dangerous.
"Foley House is partially funded by the Department of Health, not run by Corrective Services.
"The Parole Authority heard that inadequate prison management procedures have meant that Hall has not been able to access adequate programs to prepare for eventual release.
"By the Justice Minister's own admission the only reason Hall stands to be released is because a bed in a halfway house has become available.
"The Parole Authority has shown no regard for the welfare of the community at large.
"Before Hall gains any release the community must be convinced that efforts have been made in the prison system to prepare her for life on the outside," Mr Humpherson concluded.