The family of a murdered schoolgirl fear her killer could be released into the community this November.
The Stewart family - whose beloved Michelle, 17, was stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend John Wilson in Drongan in 2008 - say they are "frustrated" with the lack of information surrounding killer Wilson’s rehabilitation in prison and the motives for his crime.
Shock parole hearing minutes, requested by the Stewarts following Wilson being denied parole in March, flagged that he hadn’t undertaken domestic violence work in 14 years behind bars.
The minutes also highlighted that the tribunal lacked information “on the motivations and triggers for the index offence because the offender has not yet accessed appropriate work.”
Both the Scottish Prison Service and Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) say they “do not comment on individual cases.”
Michelle’s sister Lisa and mum Josephine met with representatives of the parole board last Friday to put across their argument as to why Wilson should not be released as his next hearing, scheduled for November 8.
Lisa said: “Unfortunately from what was said at the meeting it seems there is a high chance he will be released at the next hearing.
“I raised my concerns about how he has not undertaken any intimate partner violence programmes whilst in jail, but they argue this can only be accessed when he is released as it is only available in the community and not within prisons. I struggle to rationalise how he can be released when he has not undertaken any specific rehabilitation specific to the index offence.
“They have said that he has been participating on other programmes but further information was not disclosed.
“It’s very frustrating as they won’t even confirm if any of the programmes are relevant to the crime - i.e anger management or behavioural.”
Lisa said she also raised concerns regarding the last hearing about “not being provided with enough evidence of motives and triggers for what he did to Michelle.”
She says she was told that further information was available to the board but was confidential and could not be disclosed.
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Lisa said: “I just find it hard to believe that someone who has been refused parole at every hearing previously as he was seen to be a danger to the public - with the most recent hearing in March this year - can be rehabilitated within eight short months and considered safe.
“I have no doubt that he will reoffend when released. I just hope another young woman's life is not taken from her by him.”
The Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) said they do not comment on individual cases. A spokesperson added: “PBS has no role in the provision of prisoner programmes. This is a matter for the Scottish Prison Service.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individuals. A broad range of offence focused interventions are delivered by SPS across our establishments, designed to address individuals’ needs and risks.”
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