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'Suzanne's Law' planned in parole reforms 'Suzanne's Law' planned in parole reforms
(about 8 hours later)
Killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victims' remains may not be freed from jail under proposals published by the Scottish government.Killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victims' remains may not be freed from jail under proposals published by the Scottish government.
The idea is named Suzanne's Law after Suzanne Pilley, whose body is believed to have been buried in a remote part of Argyll following her murder in 2010.The idea is named Suzanne's Law after Suzanne Pilley, whose body is believed to have been buried in a remote part of Argyll following her murder in 2010.
David Gilroy, who was found guilty of the killing, has never said where her body could be found.David Gilroy, who was found guilty of the killing, has never said where her body could be found.
The move is one of a number of proposals to reform the parole system.The move is one of a number of proposals to reform the parole system.
The others include the introduction of GPS technology to monitor offenders in the community which could allow exclusion zones for offenders to be more effectively enforced.The others include the introduction of GPS technology to monitor offenders in the community which could allow exclusion zones for offenders to be more effectively enforced.
What reforms are proposed?What reforms are proposed?
'Fair and robust''Fair and robust'
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said Scotland had a fair and robust parole system but victims and their families could feel left out.Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said Scotland had a fair and robust parole system but victims and their families could feel left out.
He said the proposals would give victims a greater voice in the parole process and take their safety and welfare into account.He said the proposals would give victims a greater voice in the parole process and take their safety and welfare into account.
Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said bereaved families had been campaigning for the introduction of Suzanne's Law. Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, welcomed the possibility of victims having the option of being able to attend parole hearings.
Ms Wallace said bereaved families had been campaigning for the introduction of Suzanne's Law.
She said: "Families struggle to understand why somebody could be eligible for parole when they haven't disclosed where a body is."
In England, the mother of murder victim Helen McCourt has said she is "horrified" that her daughter's killer will be freed despite never revealing where his victim's body is.In England, the mother of murder victim Helen McCourt has said she is "horrified" that her daughter's killer will be freed despite never revealing where his victim's body is.
Ian Simms was jailed in 1989 for murdering 22-year-old Helen and his seventh application for parole has "met the test for release".Ian Simms was jailed in 1989 for murdering 22-year-old Helen and his seventh application for parole has "met the test for release".
Helen's mother Marie has been campaigning for Helen's Law and the parents of murdered Edinburgh book-keeper Suzanne Pilley also campaigned for a similar change to Scots law.Helen's mother Marie has been campaigning for Helen's Law and the parents of murdered Edinburgh book-keeper Suzanne Pilley also campaigned for a similar change to Scots law.
The proposal to ensure licence conditions are fully explained to prisoners before they are released follows a number of high-profile cases in which prisoners released on parole have carried out further serious offences. Murders without a body
Among them was the case of James Wright, who had removed an electronic tag he was wearing, having been released early from prison. How do you solve a murder without a body?
In July 2017 he stabbed student Craig McClelland to death in an unprovoked attack in Foxbar, Renfrewshire, and was jailed for a minimum of 20 years. Murder cases where there is no body are still extremely rare in Scottish courts, but prosecutors say technology has increased the likelihood of them being brought before a jury.
Craig's family called for a full public inquiry to be held automatically if a tagged offender carried out a murder.
What is parole?What is parole?
Parole is a system which allows prisoners to be released back into the community on licence before the end of the sentence laid down by the courts - or at the end of a "punishment part" in the case of a life sentence.Parole is a system which allows prisoners to be released back into the community on licence before the end of the sentence laid down by the courts - or at the end of a "punishment part" in the case of a life sentence.
The Parole Board for Scotland is an independent body which makes recommendations on the release of prisoners. It makes these decisions based on a rigorous risk assessment process.The Parole Board for Scotland is an independent body which makes recommendations on the release of prisoners. It makes these decisions based on a rigorous risk assessment process.
Public protection is the Parole Board's primary concern and the board must be satisfied the prisoner no longer poses a risk to the public before they can be released.Public protection is the Parole Board's primary concern and the board must be satisfied the prisoner no longer poses a risk to the public before they can be released.
If an offender on licence commits a further offence, or behaves in way which breaches their licence before the period of their sentence has expired, they can be immediately recalled to prison to serve the remainder of it. If an offender on licence commits a further offence, or behaves in a way that breaches their licence before the period of their sentence has expired, they can be immediately recalled to prison to serve the remainder of it.