James Vlassakis, the youngest member of South Australia’s notorious Snowtown killers, could learn as early as tomorrow whether he will be granted parole. Convicted at just 19, Vlassakis was implicated in four of the 11 murders that occurred in the 1990s.
To protect him during his time in prison, his identity has been suppressed; this measure was taken because he testified against his accomplices, John Bunting and Robert Wagner. As a result of his cooperation, Vlassakis was given a 26-year non-parole period, which has now concluded.
Vlassakis has submitted a parole application, and reports suggest that prison authorities are satisfied with his behaviour, leading to his recent transfer to a low-security facility. Another accomplice, Mark Haydon, was released last year after serving 25 years for his involvement in the murders.
A decision regarding Vlassakis’ parole request is anticipated tomorrow, although there may be a delay as the parole board’s discussions could extend into the evening. If granted parole, Vlassakis would not be released immediately; the police commissioner, attorney-general, and victims’ rights commissioner would have a 60-day window to request a review of the decision.