Giving Victims a Voice in Parole Hearings: South Australia's Experience. Issue 1 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Connell, Michael; Fletcher, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Journal of victimology and victim justice. Volume 1:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Victim -- co-victim -- victims' right -- Commissioner for Victims' Rights -- parole -- victim participation; Victims of crimes -- Periodicals; Criminals -- Periodicals; 364
• DOI: 10.1177/2516606918765488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-6069

Abstract

Much of the limited research on parole has focused on the prisoner perspective. There is a paucity of research on the victim perspective. This article draws on quantitative and qualitative information attained during semi-structured interviews of co-victims of murders that were conducted by the Commissioner for Victims' Rights, South Australia. This information offers an insight into co-victims' views on whether murderers should be released on parole; co-victims' safety concerns should murderers be released; and, co-victims' views on the parole process. The results confirm the importance of victim participation in the parole process.