Overview
- The Crisafulli government announced Monday it will broaden the state's restricted‑prisoner classification so every offender serving a life sentence can be treated as restricted.
- Under the change, restricted prisoners face harsher parole eligibility and the government says some life‑sentenced offenders could be held in custody for up to an additional 10 years before becoming suitable for release.
- The reform package accepts 31 of 46 recommendations from an independent review of the Queensland Parole Board and requires the board to consider victim submissions and notify victims when parole is granted.
- Families of murder victims, including relatives of Allison Baden‑Clay, welcomed the announcement as addressing what they call inadequate non‑parole terms; Gerard Baden‑Clay is eligible for parole next year and is singled out as an example.
- The review that triggered the changes found 1,809 of 6,460 sentenced prisoners were held past their parole eligibility in 2025 and highlighted high costs of incarceration, while government data show about 71 current restricted prisoners and roughly 330 people serving life sentences in Queensland.