The mother of Baby P is set to face a public parole hearing in October after a judge ruled there is "substantial public interest" in the case. Tracey Connelly will appear before the Parole Board on October 22 to 23 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
The 44-year-old was jailed 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. This marks her first review since being recalled to prison in August last year for breaching licence conditions.
Judge highlights public interest
The Parole Board received two applications for the hearing to be held in public, describing Connelly's case as "one of the most high-profile and devastating child protection failures in UK history". Applicants argued the case "permanently altered the conversation around safeguarding" and that the public lacks access to "real details" about previous parole decisions made in private.
Connelly's lawyer opposed the public hearing, arguing it poses safety risks and could compromise her identity. The legal representative warned of "real and current" threats to her safety and said publicity would worsen her post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.
Mental health concerns addressed
Judge Peter Rook KC acknowledged Connelly suffered "offence-related bullying and aggression" after her recall to prison, leading to declining mental health. However, he noted she responded well without resorting to violence and has now "stabilised", with her lawyer admitting she "recovers well from these events".
Granting the application for a public hearing, Judge Rook said there is "strong public interest in the extent that Ms Connelly currently presents a risk and, if so, what measures are proposed in order to manage it". He added that transparency could "reassure" the public about the thoroughness of risk assessments and probation supervision.
Previous release and recall
Connelly left prison in July 2022 after the Parole Board ruled her suitable for release, despite concerns over her ability to manipulate and deceive. The panel had heard evidence of prison romances and secret love letters with an inmate, but deemed her at "low risk of committing a further offence".
Then-justice secretary Dominic Raab appealed the decision but was unsuccessful, condemning the outcome as proof the parole system needs "fundamental overhaul". Connelly had previously been released on licence in 2013 but was recalled to prison in 2015 for breaching parole conditions.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
