- James Bulger’s family relieved
- Continued risk to minors
- Venables denied release
Jon Venables, the assailant of James Bulger, has been denied release from prison by parole officers who determined he continues to pose a risk to minors.
Venables, who was ten years old at the time of his 1993 murder of a two-year-old in Bootle, Merseyside, alongside Robert Thompson, was deemed re-capable, according to the Parole Board.
According to the report, his release at this time would not be secure for the general public.
Venables was granted a license in 2001; however, he was recalled after the discovery of explicit images of minors on his computer.
He was readmitted to prison in August 2013 after being released in February 2010 but was re-incarcerated for the same offense in November 2017.
His case was last before parole judges in September 2020.
Venables “acknowledged that he had a long-term sexual interest in children and indecent images of children,” according to a summary of the most recent decision, despite having “done a substantial amount of work in prison to address this area of risk.”
He has a history of substance use and has covertly attempted to access the internet, violating license conditions.
Parole Board’s Concerns and Safeguarding Measures
The panel expressed “concerned about ongoing concerns regarding sexual preoccupation in this case.” It cautioned that there are “future risks” that he may view additional images of child sexual abuse and “progress to offences involving contact with children.
“Both of these pose a significant potential for inflicting severe harm upon others,” continued the three-page document.
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The Parole Board expressed skepticism regarding Venables’ capacity to communicate candidly and openly with professionals. It determined that he still had “significant levels of risk to confront and to strengthen his relationship with his probation officer.”
A lengthy legal order has been established to safeguard the identities of Venables and Thompson. This is due to their young ages at the time of committing the offense.
Due to this, Caroline Corby, the chairperson of the Parole Board of England and Wales, decided against holding James’s parole hearing in public. This prevented his family from being present.
Venables and Thompson, both 10, conspired to kidnap James from a mall in February 1993.
They conducted him collectively to a nearby railway track, where they subjected him to torture and ultimately executed him.
Both were granted new identities and were released on license in 2001, following eight years of imprisonment for the murder.
James’ family praised the decision, and his mother’s representative, Denise Fergus, said she had been waiting for “years.”
“The prospect of him coming out was terrifying as we knew he’d harm again,” according to her.
“Barbaric homicide”
Uncle Jimmy Bulger and father Ralph Bulger expressed “relief.” However, they criticized the Ministry of Justice, stating that government officials had been “hostile” before the Parole Board hearing.
The Parole Board panel’s refusal to admit a memorandum detailing James’ sexual murder raised concerns.
They stated, “Jon Venables’s additional criminal activity has had a traumatic effect on us. Our organisation is highly concerned by the Ministry of Justice’s apparent inadequacy in public safety and its officers’ suitability.”
The MoJ stated that it had no additional comments regarding the criticism.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk stated, “The nation was astounded by the heinous murder committed by James Bulger. And I applaud the Parole Board’s decision to maintain the incarceration of his murderer.
Because I opposed Jon Venables’ release, which is to ensure the utmost protection of the public and to implement a more stringent ministerial oversight over releasing the most dangerous offenders, this administration is reforming the parole system.
A prior parole review conducted in 2020 concluded that he engaged in sexual activity and pornography “as a coping mechanism,” experienced a “lack of fulfillment in life,” and had a “need for excitement” about his conduct preceding his more recent transgressions.
In roughly two years, Venables will be eligible for another parole review.
