Abstract
ABSTRACTWhen a convicted murderer violently re-offends after being released, a prominent media profile results, intense fear is engendered within the community and vigorous commentary ensues, usually and understandably critical of the offender and the justice system. On the other hand, there is evidence that most murders are opportunistic and singular. In this article, Australian and international recidivism literature is synthesised in the specific context of murderers released to parole. This recidivism data is then analysed and evaluated as a factor in the utility of sentences of life imprisonment without parole for convicted murderers. A comprehensive synthesis, analysis and evaluation of the literature reveals that a small percentage of paroled murderers recidivate by committing a violent offence, and even fewer kill again. Recidivism rates are a significant factor in the measure of the success or otherwise of sentencing and corrections. Accordingly, these findings support the contention that life imprisonment without parole is of limited, if any, utility for the large majority of convicted murderers and for the community.
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