A former director of public prosecutions says South Australia’s parole system needs a radical overhaul after the decision to release Snowtown killer James Vlassakis.
Stephen Pallaras has slammed the move, arguing the four‑time murderer shouldn’t be rewarded for good behaviour and should never be allowed back into the community.
WATCH ABOVE: Former director of public prosecutions condones the release of snowtown serial killer
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Vlassakis — one of the men behind the notorious ‘bodies in the barrels’ murders — has been warned he’ll be returned to custody immediately if he fails a drug test.
Stephen Pallaras (right) doesn’t believe snowtown killer James Vlassakis good behaviour behind bars should count. Credit: 7NEWS A bid to block his release was rejected on Tuesday, clearing the way for the youngest of the Snowtown killers to walk free — the first serial killer in Australia to ever be released from prison.
He’ll be moved from Mount Gambier Prison to Adelaide’s pre‑release centre, where he’ll be allowed out on day release and taught how to live again in the community.
The decision has angered victims’ families and drawn criticism from others, including Pallaras.
“It’s just a horrendous decision and demands that we have a look at the system that allows him to walk free,” he told 7NEWS.
“I’m not looking for longer sentencing. But if you get ten years, you do ten years — not six and a half.”
The parole board described Vlassakis as an exemplary prisoner who hasn’t been violent behind bars.
He previously failed a drug test in 2017, returning a positive result for morphine, but the parole board says he has no current drug problem.
Vlassakis face strict parole conditions, including a curfew, and is banned from contacting victims’ families.