Parole should only be given to violent and sexual offenders with a "negligible" chance of reoffending, a highly anticipated Victorian government report has recommended.
The report by former High Court justice Ian Callinan said the Adult Parole Board has been releasing violent and sexual offenders far too easily, according to The Herald Sun.
It found the board was tilted in favour of the release of criminals, rather than the safety of the public.
The report was commissioned after the killing of Jill Meagher, who was murdered by parolee Adrian Bayley.
Her murder was one of 13 killings committed by parolees in recent years.
Mr Callinan found that under the Adult Parole Board it "has proved to be too easy for serious violent and sexual offenders to obtain and to remain on parole", the newspaper reported.
He also found "that the paramountcy of the safety of the public has not been given the prominence it deserves".
Mr Callinan recommends a two-tiered parole system be set up for serious offenders, The Age has reported.
A three-person panel would first assess whether a person was suitable for parole, with their decision reviewed by a second panel before an offender is released.
Victims would be notified when a person who has offended against them is to be parole, it is recommended.
The report has been handed to senior government members including Premier Denis Napthine, Attorney-General Robert Clark and Corrections Minister Edward O'Donohue, who are said to have broadly supported its findings.
The release of the report comes as previously-announced changes, including making breaching parole a crime are to be debated in parliament this week.
Premier Denis Napthine said on Monday the state would have the toughest parole regime in the country.
"We'll be debating further toughening of parole laws in Victoria to make it very clear that we will have the toughest parole conditions in Australia," Dr Napthine told reporters.
"There is no doubt that there needs to be improvements to our parole processes.
"We make no apology for making it very clear that parole is a privilege not a right."
The government has already made it mandatory to put violent offenders back in jail if they are convicted of a serious crime while on parole.
The families of victims have been among those calling for greater transparency and accountability by the parole board.
Dr Napthine met with Ms Meagher's widower Tom last week to discuss his concerns about the Adult Parole Board of Victoria.
The board's decisions are made in an administrative rather than legal setting, meaning prisoners are not entitled to legal representation and hearings are not open to the public or media.
