A domestic violence survivor says she is fearing for her life and reliving her trauma after learning her ex-husband and abuser will be released on parole next week. Stella Magnisalis said a call from the Department for Correctional Services informing her of the release left her “surprised, shocked and disgusted”, and she is considering leaving the state or going overseas.
Former police officer Matthew Thomson admitted to multiple assaults against Ms Magnisalis between 2013 and 2018. He was sentenced last year to two years and three months in prison, with a 12-month non-parole period.
The South Australian Parole Board confirmed Thomson would be released next week on electronic monitoring. The board said he had completed all necessary prison programs and did not believe he posed a risk to society.
Ms Magnisalis said she first learned of the release date from the media. She said the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) had told her his release was "imminent" but had not given a specific date. She said South Australia Police had "not been consistent" in keeping her informed, and that she felt they kept her in the dark.
SA Police said in a statement that notification of parole outcomes and release arrangements are the responsibility of DCS, and that it was not advised the parole application had been successful. DCS said the correct process was followed by its Victims Services Unit and that information about the release date and its disclosure were matters for the independent Parole Board. Police Minister Michael Brown said he found it “disappointing” that people were finding they had not been given the information they required and that he was happy to follow up in this case to make sure the proper procedure had been followed. He defended the Parole Board's decision, saying electronic monitoring was “entirely appropriate in this case”.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Highlights the emotional and safety impact on victims when parole decisions are made.
- Reveals potential breakdowns in communication between justice agencies and victims.
- Raises questions about risk assessment for domestic violence offenders.
Background
Matthew Thomson, a former police officer, was sentenced last year for multiple assaults against his ex-wife Stella Magnisalis between 2013 and 2018. He received a two-year-and-three-month sentence with a 12-month non-parole period, making him eligible for release from June this year. The Parole Board's decision to release him next week includes electronic monitoring.
Key Perspectives
- Stella Magnisalis: Says she is fearful for her life and reliving her trauma, felt inadequately informed by DCS and police, and is considering leaving the state or overseas.
- SA Parole Board: Concluded Thomson does not pose a risk after completing programs, approved release with electronic monitoring.
- SA Police: Stated notification is DCS's responsibility, was not advised of the successful parole application, and is committed to victim safety.
- Department for Correctional Services: Said the correct process was followed and release date information is a matter for the independent Parole Board.
- Police Minister Michael Brown: Expressed disappointment the victim felt uninformed, said he would follow up on the procedure, and defended the Parole Board's independent decision and electronic monitoring.
What to Watch
- Thomson's release next week and compliance with electronic monitoring.
- Potential inquiries into communication procedures between the Parole Board, DCS, SAPOL, and victims.
- Whether the case prompts changes to victim notification protocols.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says Magnisalis fears for her life as her ex-husband is due to be released on parole next week.Adelaide articles feed: “A domestic violence survivor says she is fearing for her life and "reliving" her trauma after learning her abuser and ex-husband will be released on parole next week.”
- SupportedThe headline describes Magnisalis as “disgusted” about the release.Adelaide articles feed: “Ms Magnisalis said the call from DCS informing her of Thomson's release left her feeling "surprised, shocked and disgusted".”
- SupportedThe summary says Magnisalis felt police had not consistently kept her informed.Adelaide articles feed: “Ms Magnisalis also said SA Police had not told her when Thomson would be released, and had "not been consistent" with keeping her informed.”
- SupportedThe opening says she feared for her life and was reliving trauma after learning about the release.Adelaide articles feed: “A domestic violence survivor says she is fearing for her life and "reliving" her trauma after learning her abuser and ex-husband will be released on parole next week.”
- SupportedMagnisalis said the DCS call about the release left her “surprised, shocked and disgusted”.Adelaide articles feed: “Ms Magnisalis said the call from DCS informing her of Thomson's release left her feeling "surprised, shocked and disgusted".”
- SupportedMagnisalis said she was considering leaving the state or going overseas when Thomson was released.Adelaide articles feed: “"I'm considering when he's let out to leave the state, to go overseas, to move in with my family," she said.”
- SupportedThomson, a former police officer, admitted to multiple assaults against Magnisalis between 2013 and 2018.Adelaide articles feed: “Former police officer Matthew Thomson has been in jail for just over a year after admitting to multiple assaults against his ex-wife Stella Magnisalis between 2013 and 2018.”
- SupportedThomson was sentenced last year to two years and three months in prison, with a 12-month non-parole period.Adelaide articles feed: “Thomson was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars last year , but was handed a 12-month non-parole period that made him eligible to apply for release since June this year.”
- SupportedThe Parole Board confirmed Thomson would be released next week on electronic monitoring.Adelaide articles feed: “The SA Parole Board today confirmed that Thomson would be released next week and would be subject to electronic monitoring conditions.”
- SupportedThe board said Thomson had completed the necessary prison programs and did not believe he posed a risk to society.Adelaide articles feed: “The Parole Board said Thomson had completed all necessary prison programs ahead of his release and did not believe he posed a risk to society.”
- SupportedMagnisalis said DCS had told her the release was imminent but had given no date, and she first learned when it would happen from the media.Adelaide articles feed: “Ms Magnisalis said she had been told by the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) that her abuser's release was "imminent" but had not been given a date. She said it was "disheartening" to first learn of when he would be released from the media.”
- SupportedPolice Minister Michael Brown said he was disappointed people had not received the information they needed and was happy to follow up on the procedure.Adelaide articles feed: “"I'm happy to follow up in this particular case to make sure that the proper procedure has been followed and I do find it disappointing that people are finding that they haven't been given the information they require," he said.”