No specific time frame for parole board to decide Najwa Peterson's release, says expert

A criminal law expert said there's no specific time frame for the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board to come to a decision whether to grant husband killer Najwa Petersen parole.

The 63-year-old appeared before the board on Wednesday to apply for release on parole.

She's eligible for parole after serving 16 of her 28-year prison sentence for orchestrating her husband Taliep Petersen's murder in 2006.

The music and theatre icon was shot dead in his Athlone home 19 years ago.

Criminal law expert Dr Llewelyn Curlewis said the parole board has a few things to consider before making its decision on whether to release an inmate on parole or not.

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Among other things, the parole board needs to decide whether the inmate has been rehabilitated and whether it's safe to let that person out on parole.

"More importantly, there's no time frame for them to come to a decision. As long as it's reasonable, they can take as long as they need to make an informed decision. Remember, they must deliberate on the various issues and the circumstances at hand."

Curlewis believes Najwa could know by the end of this week if she'll be released on parole.

"I won't say immediately, maybe not the first time around, but I don't think this is the first application that was brought before the parole board for this specific inmate. But sooner than later, at some point, the person will qualify for parole and will be let out on parole.

“As long as it's within a reasonable time frame and a reasonable time frame can be one day, can be a month, may even be longer. But I expect an answer sooner than later because this is a very high profile and important matter."