The mother of Baby P, who died after months of abuse in 2007, has been released from prison.
Tracey Connolly 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.
On Thursday, the Justice Department confirmed her release from prison.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dominic Raab condemned the decision and said it was proof that the parole system needed “fundamental change”.
In March, the Parole Board decided Connolly was suitable for release – after rejecting three previous offers in 2015, 2017 and 2019 – after hearing he was now considered to be a “low risk of re-offending ” and that probation officers and prison officials supported the plan.
She was released on license in 2013 but was returned to prison in 2015 for breaching her parole conditions.
Raab said: “Tracey Connolly’s cruelty was pure evil, which is why I strongly opposed her release. The decision to release her demonstrates why the Parole Board needs major change, including ministerial block, to protect the public and keep dangerous offenders off our streets.
Raab asked the board, which is independent of the government, to review the decision under the so-called review mechanism. His request was denied.
A spokesman for the Parole Board said in a statement at the time: “Following an application for review by the Secretary of State, a judge ruled that the decision made by independent members of the Parole Board to release was not irrational, as alleged in the application for reconsideration, and the original decision is upheld.”
Connolly, 40, will be subject to movement, activity and contact restrictions and face 20 additional license conditions.
These include living at a designated address – initially a bail hostel – being supervised by probation, wearing an electronic tag, observing a curfew and disclosing her relationships.
Her internet and phone use will be monitored and she has been told she cannot go to certain places to “avoid contact with victims and protect children”.
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