74. Web of Deceit: When should offenders be released?

In 2009 London taxi driver John Worboys was found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting five, as well as twelve charges of drugging women while they were passengers in his cab. Following a high-profile trial he was given an indeterminate prison sentence as it emerged that there may have been more than 100 victims. However, there was a public outcry when it was announced in 2018 that Worboys was to be released from prison on parole after serving just ten years in custody.

How does the parole system balance the rights of the individual prisoner against the responsibility to protect the public? And are they always right? On this episode of Bad People, Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen discuss the purpose of parole, whether every criminal can be rehabilitated and if it is ever acceptable to lock someone up for life.

CREDITS

Presenters: Dr Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Anna Lacey Music: Matt Chandler The Open University: Dr Sarah Laurence and Dr Ailsa Strathie Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Assistant Producer: Adam Eland

#BadPeople_BBC