Question regarding the Attorney General's awareness and handling of differences between life sentence and Governor's pleasure prisoners in pre-release programs and parole recommendations. The Attorney General states awareness upon taking office and consideration of individual merits and risk.

AnsweredQoN 364Legislative Council
Asked
13 November 2002
Portfolio
minister representing the Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

(1) When did the Attorney General become aware that there was a difference in the prisoners being submitted for approval of a pre-release program and recommendation to the Governor for parole in that some had a life sentence and others were imprisoned at the Governor’s pleasure? (2) After becoming aware of this, did the Attorney General in any way alter the way in which he dealt with each case? (3) If so, in what manner? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I will not ask that it be placed on notice. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
(2) After becoming aware of this, did the Attorney General in any way alter the way in which he dealt with each case? (3) If so, in what manner? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I will not ask that it be placed on notice. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
(3) If so, in what manner? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I will not ask that it be placed on notice. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I will not ask that it be placed on notice. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I will not ask that it be placed on notice. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: We on this side of the House always answer questions, unlike members opposite when they were on this side of the House. Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
Several members interjected. Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS: I think their preselections must be coming up shortly and they are under threat! The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
The Attorney General has provided an answer in these terms - (1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
(1) On taking up office, the Attorney General was aware of the legislative difference between life and Government’s pleasure sentences. However, in considering the suitability of such prisoners for release on parole, in both categories, consideration must always be given to the risk posed by such release. In considering a prisoner’s suitability for release, the Attorney General considers each case on its individual merits and takes all relevant factors into account, including the nature of the current offence or offences, criminal history, program participation, community supports, the Parole Board’s recommendation in the matter and any other information that may be relevant. (2)-(3) Not applicable.
(2)-(3) Not applicable.

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