Colin Pitchfork will be released

[AssassinatedBeauty]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-57737050

It seems that gaining a degree and learning how to transcribe braille is sufficient to persuade a parole board that you are no longer a danger to women and girls. He is only 61, he could have many years of offending left before him.

Apparently he was a convicted flasher. A lot of these killers turn out to have been flashers first. Pitchfork's attempt to get out of prison after 20 years of his 30 year sentence: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1169119/Work-art-monstrous-cynicism-Convicted-paedophile-creates-extraordinary-paper-sculpture-bid-win-freedom.html

I wonder what he did, that has been picked up by the probation service. I mean they are not with him all the time, if he's been hanging around places teenage girls go, for example, you'd hardly think the probation service would know. Unless he is tagged, he might be.

It may be as simple as missing a probation appointment, being late for curfew or daily sign in. His probation officer will be being exceedingly strict with minimal discretion permitted.

It will need to be something that shows his risk can no longer be managed in the community. So, anything offence related, hanging round areas where teen girls are for eg, not complying with other licence conditions if that means risk is raised - e.g not disclosing a relationship, loosing his housing placement through some error on his part, anti social behaviour, drugs. It’s likely he is wearing a gps tag so I’d bet on movements somewhere which raises concern.

On the plus side, it shows that - on this occasion - the process works. Thank god he's back in again

Has he been allowed internet access? - because I would not be surprised if online activities are involved in this.

Please can they throw away the key this time?

@PandaP0p

On the plus side, it shows that - on this occasion - the process works. Thank god he's back in again

As far as we know...

When first hearing this my initial thought was that he had committed a criminal offence. I was partially relieved that the recall was for breaking his release terms/conditions and not for criminal activity. Of course it doesn't 100% mean that he hasn't committed a criminal offence, rather that he hasn't been caught. But hopefully this was a preemptive move.

Daily mail (and others) are reporting the following: Pitchfork was freed from jail in September and was living at a bail hostel. But he was dramatically arrested on Friday for sidling up to young women – in their later teens and early 20s – on 'multiple' occasions while on daily walks from his hostel.

I used to be a probation officer, he had FORTY TWO licence conditions, I managed some really high risk people and I've never known that many in my life. It's actually more of a surprise he's not been recalled before than that it's happened now with that many restrictions, not that I disagree with them. It indicates that the probation officer and SPO may not have recommended release but the parole board went ahead anyway, it happens more than you'd expect.

Jurgen that's interesting. I was baffled by the release at the time.

I am not an expert but I can't think of anywhere near 42 conditions!

From the beeb website:

"Pitchfork was subject to an unusually high number of licence conditions. The MoJ said there were more than 40 - including exclusion zones, curfews and polygraph testing - while murderers are usually only subject to about seven.
Pitchfork's case must now be referred to the Parole Board within 28 days.

There will likely be a parole hearing due to the seriousness of the case, rather than considering the circumstances of the recall "on paper", meaning by solely reviewing documents.

The hearing will determine whether Pitchfork should stay in a closed prison, be transferred to an open prison or be released."

Surely no-one in their right mind would consider release, or even open prison for that matter?

Murderers aren't usually subject to seven, there are seven standard conditions that everyone released on licence is subject to, includes being of good behaviour, not committing further offences, maintaining contact with your probation officer, residing at an approved address etc. Most high risk cases come out with more than a standard seven, but I've never ever known that many. I'll see if I can find the most up to date guidance so people can have a look through the conditions that can be added.

Here you go, first link on this page gives you all possible licence conditions www.gov.uk/government/publications/licence-conditions-policy-framework