No body no parole and the innocent prisoner's dilemma

Wrongfully convicted prisoners face what is known as “the innocent prisoner’s dilemma” when they become eligible for parole. A prisoner’s willingness to take responsibility for their crime and express remorse is a vital part of parole decision-making process. But if they maintain they are innocent and do not admit responsibility or express remorse, they may be denied parole. On the other hand, if they do accept responsibility for a crime they did not commit, they may limit any options for post-conviction review. As recently highlighted in the case of Keli Lane, this dilemma is compounded by no body, no parole laws requiring prisoners to disclose the location of victims’ remains.

This webinar will provide an overview of:

• The politicisation of no body no parole regimes in Australia and the impact on victims’ families
• The effectiveness of no body no parole legislation
• Challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of the legislation
• The impact of no body no parole laws on the wrongfully convicted
• Options for reform.

Michele Ruyters, is Associate Dean, Criminology and Justice Studies with RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University. Michele is the founder and director of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative and the Criminal Case Review Project at RMIT University. Michele's practice and research interests are in wrongful convictions and lived experiences of miscarriages of justice.

This event is free for ANZAPPL members. It is $20 for non-members and $5 for full-time students. Please click here to register.

This event will be live-streamed and recorded. Recordings will be available for ANZAPPL members only via the website.