Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2013
Source: Mercury, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2013 Davies Brothers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.themercury.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/193
Author: Malcolm Holland

CORBY PAROLE HOPES ON RISE

SCHAPELLE Corby's hopes of being granted parole after almost a decade 
in a Balinese prison have taken a leap forward.

Indonesian officials yesterday visited her cell and inspected the 
home of sister Mercedes where she will have to live if released.

If Corby becomes the first foreign prisoner in Indonesia granted 
parole she must live with Mercedes and Balinese husband Wayan 
Widyartha in the traditional compound home they share with their 
three children and his extended family in Kuta.

Sources said three female parole board officials yesterday morning 
first talked to the 36-year-old in her cell at Kerobokan Prison.

They asked about her hopes for parole, her health and whether she 
could work while on parole and living with her sister.

One of the three women who visited will become Corby's parole officer 
if she is granted parole.

The trio then went to the compound in Kuta to decide if it was a 
suitable place for Corby to serve her parole.

"It's good news and a step closer to freedom for my sister," Mercedes 
Corby said last night.

It is also understood one of the most senior members of the community 
in the area around the compound also gave support for the move.

An important part of Corby's parole bid is the promise Mercedes and 
Wayan will help her financially, with her "morale" and to "oversee 
her education as a responsible citizen".

Corby last year became eligible for parole from her 20-year jail term 
after receiving several reductions for good behaviour which reduced 
her term to 15 years.

The governor of Kerobokan jail, Gusti Ngurah Wiratna, last week said 
she had been recommended for another six-month sentence cut, set to 
be announced as part of Indonesian Independence Day celebrations on August 17.

Corby was sentenced to 20 years jail for smuggling 4.2kg of marijuana 
into Indonesia in 2004.

She still denies she knew the marijuana was in her body board bag and 
says she was an unwitting mule.

Sources said she had not formally entered her request for parole.

It is understood it could be weeks or months before the board makes a decision.

Sources denied social media claims last night she would be released 
on October 30.
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