Gap to close in SA's prison placement rules after plea from murder victim's family
Michael's father Jeffrey Purse previously told the media of his devastation at learning that Edwin James Hinrichsen, who was convicted of his son's manslaughter in 2023, had been moved from Yatala Labour Prison to Cadell Training Centre in the state's Riverland.
Hinrichsen was sentenced beside David Graham Young — both of whom pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were subsequently ordered to serve more than 11 years behind bars.
A third man, Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham, was found guilty of murdering the 32-year-old and sentenced earlier this year to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years — including four years remaining on an earlier jail term.
Michael was killed in February 2019 at a unit in Kilburn, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, after he went missing from the Adelaide CBD.
His remains have never been found.
Mr Purse told the ABC on Wednesday he and his family were "quite stunned" when they learned that Hinrichsen was serving the remainder of his sentence at a low-security prison farm.
Upon hearing the news, which was around the same time Leedham was sentenced, Mr Purse spoke to the media, contacted authorities and wrote a letter to the Minister for Correctional Services Emily Bourke.
Hinrichsen was subsequently moved to a medium-security facility and a review into his placement is now underway.
"The results of that enquiry found that there are gaps in their guidelines and SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures], and therefore, there was no specific exclusions of persons like Hinrichsen to be not admitted into low-security facilities," Mr Purse said on Wednesday.
Minister Bourke said she was "grateful to Jeffrey for sharing his story… and advocating for improvements in our justice system".
"We listened to his feedback and brought Jeffrey and the department together, enabling an outcome where all recommendations put forward by the review process will be implemented," she said.
"Importantly, this includes giving a stronger victim perspective in the case management of serious offenders.
"Community safety is paramount and outcomes of this review will strengthen processes in place, with greater oversight on placement decisions made."
Mr Purse said he and his family were "very pleased with the result" and compared it to "a bit of a David versus Goliath battle".
A spokesperson from the Department for Correctional Services said it took "concerns of victims very seriously" and review panel "put forward recommendations which will be implemented".
"These changes will help ensure the department has a stronger victim focus relating to the case management of serious offenders," it said.
"Offenders in this category will have a higher degree of oversight prior to any transfer decision made."
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