The Parole Board has announced that the mother of Baby P, who died after months of abuse, should be freed from jail. Tracey Connelly was jailed at the Old Bailey in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of her 17-month-old son Peter at their home in Tottenham, north London, on August 3, 2007.
Known publicly as Baby P, he had suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals for over eight months. Connelly admitted the offence and was handed a sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) with a minimum term of five years.
Connelly was previously let out on licence in 2013 but was recalled to prison in 2015 for breaching her parole conditions. Her case was reconsidered for a third time in 2019 following previous reviews in 2015 and 2017, and refused to release her or move her to an open prison.
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The Parole Board said on Wednesday: “After considering the circumstances of her offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody, the evidence presented at the hearing and the recommendations of the witnesses, the panel was satisfied that Ms Connelly was suitable for release.”
In 2020, Connely lost an appeal against the Parole Board's decision to not release her.
Last March, the toddler's stepdad, Steven Barker, 44, had his parole bid refused after being jailed for "causing or allowing the death of a child" in 2007. The decision was made after the panel heard evidence from psychiatrists and prison officials who claimed Barker was unrepentant and failed to address his sickening urges.
Barker’s risk factors included “the impact on him of past life experiences, his capacity to become sexually aroused towards very young children, not being able to control extreme emotions and his difficulties in relationships,” the panel was told, according to the Sun.
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