Schapelle Corby could be freed within days

In a move that will divide Australia once more on whether she is innocent or guilty there is news today that Schapelle Corby could be out on parole within days.

The Guardian report that a parole hearing took place behind closed doors in Jakarta last week.

The Indonesian source, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the media, told reporters in Jakarta on Monday that Corby’s case was heard on Thursday. He would not say whether the hearing found in favour of granting her parole saying it was now a matter for Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin.

In 2004 Schapelle Corby was found guilty of smuggling 4.2kg of marijuana into Indonesia and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Thursday’s parole hearing was the last major hurdle Corby had to clear before her probable release from Kerobokan prison.

The other two steps – to acquire a new passport and approval from the Indonesian immigration department to serve out her sentence in her sister’s Kuta home were granted over the last few weeks.

The Justice Minister has already said he can see no reason why Corby’s parole bid should be rejected.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Corrections Directorate General, later confirmed the hearing had taken place.

“Yes, the parole hearing has been conducted, last week, on Thursday to be exact,” he told the media. “But we can’t tell the result yet. Let’s wait.”

If Schapelle is released on parole speculation is rife as to which media organization will pick up her story – with rumours that a profit could be made of up to $3million.

The SMH reported that

“Whichever network gets the interview will have to walk a fine line. Those familiar with Indonesia’s legal system say the courts are unlikely to impose any gag orders on Corby during her parole, giving the interviewer free rein. Viewers will therefore expect rigorous questions but a too-tough stance could be seen as exploiting her. Having suffered severe depression during her imprisonment – and if Corby’s mental state is as bad as reported – the interview could be difficult to conduct and may not occur until some time after her release.”

Once she is freed from jail Schapelle Corby must spend the rest of her sentence under the care of her sister, Mercedes, and brother in law, surf-shop owner Wayan Widyartha. She has agreed she will work designing bikinis at Widyartha’s shop.

She must meet strict parole requirements. These being that she must be “of good behaviour, remain drug and crime free and report regularly to the Parole Board and the Australian Consulate in Bali.“

Schapelle signed a declaration in August last year that she will follow all parole conditions or risk being sent back to prison.

While on parole she will be free to travel around Bali and Indonesia but must not leave the country until the expiration of her sentence. That would be 2016.

The parole rules state that she then must remain in Indonesia for an extra year, under parole authority supervision.

Schapelle Corby will then be free to return to Australia in 2017.