Serial killers' fates are in politicians' hands. Here's why that's a worry

The community has little sympathy for mass murderers, serial killers or anyone convicted of a very serious crime against another person. Presumably, this is why the Sentence Administration Amendment (Multiple Murders) Act 2018 passed through the WA state parliament earlier this month without any substantial opposition and was supported by victims families. When proclaimed, the new legislation will allow WAs attorney-general to instruct the Prisoners Review Board to suspend the assessment, consideration or reporting for parole (or a re-socialisation program) for certain mass murderers and serial killers for up to six years at a time. Previously, these orders only lasted three years, which meant prisoners denied parole were entitled to have their cases reviewed every three years. This change affects six prisoners.