The double murderer’s application for the transitional program drew outrage from several corners of the community, including AFPA president Alex Caruana, Victims of Crime Advocate John Mikita and Opposition Leader Leanne Castley. Photo: Albert McKnight/Michelle Kroll.
A victims of crime advocate has announced that double murderer Scott Alexander McDougall has failed in his bid to be accepted into the transitional release program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).
McDougall, then aged 34, killed 48-year-old Struan Bolas and 35-year-old Julie Sarah Tattersall by repeatedly attacking them with a meat cleaver at a home in Downer in September 2008.
The Queanbeyan man then set fire to the house, and his victims were found dead, both with significant injuries, after firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze.
A judge-alone trial in 2011 found McDougall guilty of two counts of murder and he was sentenced to life imprisonment on both counts.
When he was sentenced, it was reported he was not given a parole period, but would be able to apply to the Attorney-General for a “licence for release” after 10 years.
Region understands McDougall had not applied for a ‘release on licence’, which needs to be granted in order for someone serving a life sentence to be released from custody.
Victims of crime advocate John Mikita launched an online petition to prevent McDougall’s potential release.
He announced the news of McDougall’s failed bid, calling it “justice” for Julie and Struan’s families.
“There is still much work ahead to achieve the systematic change that victims of crime and their families deserve,” Mr Mikita said.
“The families are committed to pursuing systemic reform to ensure no other victims are left in the dark, and to ensure there is specialised training put in place aimed at enhancing communication from the Victims Register with individuals who have experienced significant trauma, particularly to support them effectively in ACTCS updates relating to victims and perpetrators.
“Discussions with the Attorney-General [Tara Cheyne] and Minister for Corrections [Dr Marisa Paterson] are ongoing, as the families continue to push for urgent reviews of current policies.”
News that McDougall had applied for the Alexander Maconochie Centre’s transitional release program drew outrage from several areas of the community.
Transitional release is a short-term leave from custody to support a detainee in reintegrating into the community.
Julie and Struan’s families were not notified that he’d made the application.
They have requested an inquiry into what caused the breakdown in communication between Corrective Services and the Victims Register (Victim Support).
“The families were not informed about key developments, including McDougall’s change in classification or his eligibility for the TRP until after the fact,” Mr Mikita said.
“To date, no representative from either department has taken responsibility or provided clear explanations for the failures.”
The Justice and Community Services Directorate was contacted for comment.
A spokesperson stated that, legally, they could not comment on an individual’s circumstances or details.
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