Campaigners team up to demand major changes to Scottish parole system

The Justice Secretary Angela Constance is being asked to meet two women coming together to fight to give victims a voice when their attackers are being let out of jail in Scotland.

Lisa Stewart and Ellie Wilson want to change the law to include allow victims a day in parole hearings after campaigning separately for years.

Lisa's sister, Michelle Stewart, was stabbed to death 10 times in front of her friends by John Wilson in 2008.

He was released from jail in January and her family had to wait months to find out the decision of the parole board.

READ MORE: Michelle Stewart killer released after 16 years behind bars

Ellie was raped by her ex boyfriend while they were studying at Glasgow University and was banned from his parol hearing last month by his lawyers.

Ellie said: "I feel like I'm constantly being fobbed off by ministers and people in charge which gets the better of me sometimes.

"It felt like had fewer rights during the parole system then when I was giving evidence in court, it was re-traumatising.

"Victims have the experience and if people listened to us more then we would have change brought about that is properly beneficial."

READ MORE: Glasgow rape survivor faces agonising wait as attacker’s early parole decision looms

The parole board met last September to make a decision about releasing John Wilson from jail before the decision was confirmed in January.

Lisa had to call multiple times to ask when the family would be told about the outcome of the decision.

She said: "The fact we are getting together to highlight our stories just shows how much of a failure the parole system is."

In 2018 Michelle's family met with the then justice secretary, Humza Yousaf, about their campaign Michelle's law.

It was started to ensure restrictions were placed on offenders after being released from jail to stop them from being allowed to live near victims and families.

Lisa added: "The rate of change is extremely frustrating and we've had a lot of empty promises from the government.

"Having a meeting with the justice secretary directly ensures she hears first hand our experiences rather than civil servants dealing with 95% of the correspondence.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “Although the Parole Board is independent from Scottish Ministers, and noting I have met with Ellie Wilson previously, I would be very willing to consider meeting with Ellie and Lisa Stewart to hear of their experiences of the parole system.

“I have today confirmed that I will be publishing a consultation in August on parole reform in Scotland, building on changes made to parole rules in 2022. I very much hope that victims, and others, will engage with the consultation so their voices can continue to be heard.”

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