Taskforce recommends new system of sentencing for offences

The task force looking into death sentences has recommended that the country adopts a new sentencing system.

The system will include handing down life sentences that also factor in parole.

Parole is the early release of a prisoner, who must agree to abide by certain conditions to retain their freedom.

“Parole provides a means through which offenders can be supported in making the transition from prison life to living in a community, by providing a level of autonomy while continuing to have a degree of supervision with rehabilitative and reintegration support,” reads the report seen by The Standard.

But because some prisoners might not have fully reformed, or the victims and community are still vengeful, a parole board will have to make an assessment whether the convict should be released or not.

The task force says parole will not be a system for offenders to get away with a slap on the wrist. Instead, parole will depend on time spent behind bars and the offender’s behaviour.

For one to qualify for parole, the board will look into the circumstances of the offence, the criminal record of the offender and any other history of anti-social behaviour.

The board will also consider the offender’s conduct post-conviction, social issues such as family violence and alcohol or substance abuse, and potential to re-offend.

The convict's mental status will be a major factor, including whether they have received treatment for mental illness (in the form of psychological or psychiatric reports from qualified professionals).

Before being released early, a convict will be given conditions to enable them re-integrate into society. It is suggested that an offender must report to their parole officer at specified times and place, and must live at a specified location or with a specified person, for example, a parent.

The task force recommends that the Attorney General and Parliament start an inquiry and develop laws on the definition of what constitutes a life sentence.

This may include the minimum number of years to be served before a prisoner is considered for parole, or provision for prisoners under specific circumstances to serve whole life sentences.

The current regime assumes that a prisoner should serve their time in prison until they die.