2 weeks Ago
James Hurley was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989 after being convicted of 28-year-old’s officer Frank Mason murder but escaped while being transferred in 1994. He was on the run for 13 years before being found in 2007, but a panel of the Parole Board has now directed his release following an oral hearing. Luke Mitchell, chair of the police staff association branch Hertfordshire Police Federation, said: “We are shocked, disgusted and in disbelief to hear that Hurley has been released from prison.
“It is absolutely unpalatable, and I know this news will send shockwaves through all officers, not just Hertfordshire, but those up-and-down the country - both serving and retired. “What Hurley did is unforgivable. This man murdered an off-duty police officer.
What message does this send to the policing family? What message does this send to Frank’s family? This is the ultimate betrayal.” He added that the “heroism, bravery and courage” of PC Frank Mason, who was a reporter on the Evening Echo - covering Watford - prior to joining the force, “will never be forgotten”. Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor has written to the Parole Board and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood urging the Government to reconsider the decision.
“The murder was unforgiveable,” the letter to the justice secretary said. “The fact that the then escaped custody six years later by threatening a prison officer with a knife says more about the type of man Hurley is.” The Labour MP highlighted that his constituency sees PC Frank Mason as a “hero” and presents the Frank Mason Memorial Award to a Dacorum-based officer each year.
“This has sent shockwaves through my community,” he added. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of Frank Mason following the independent Parole Board’s decision. “He is now on licence for the rest of his life, with strict conditions and intensive probation supervision after he is released.
He faces an immediate return to prison if he fails to comply." A spokesperson for the Parole Board confirmed a panel directed the release and said such decisions are “solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community”. “A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims,” they added.
The parole board highlighted that “hundreds of pages of evidence and reports” are read before hearings take place. "It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more,” the spokesperson added. “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care.
Protecting the public is our number one priority.".
