MERRIWA mother Stacy Dunbar says she is disappointed with a decision to release on parole the driver responsible for her eight-month-old son Nate’s death in 2013.
Mrs Dunbar said the administrator of the Justice for Little Nate Facebook page today shared her reaction to the Prisoner Review Board’s decision to grant Melissa Ann Waters parole.
“She will finish her non parole period on July 24, after one year, 10 months, with one year and eight months of that time spent in Baronia Pre-release Centre (for Women), not Bandyup (Women’s Prison),” Mrs Dunbar said in the post.
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“We wanted her to spend every minute of her three-year, eight-month sentence in Bandyup.
“We tried very, very hard to keep her in there, but ultimately it was out of our control.”
Mrs Dunbar said she did not know how restrictions on the release, such as Waters not being allowed in Merriwa or Quinns Rocks, would be policed.
Other restrictions could include no alcohol and substance abuse counselling.
Communitynews.com.au contacted the Prisoners Review Board but was told the decision would not be publically available for several days or longer.
After pleading guilt to dangerous driving causing death, Waters was sentenced to three years, eight months in prison in September 2013 with parole eligibility after 22 months.
The Dunbars started an anti-drink driving campaign, called Pledge for Nate, in late 2013.
“Thank you everyone for your support and continuing to spread the drink driving message,” Mrs Dunbar said.
“This part of the chapter may have finished but Nate’s message never will.”