Parole declined for Phillip Smith

Alleged prison escapee Phillip John Smith has been declined parole and will not be considered for release again for another seven months.

In the Parole Board's decision, released today, Smith was described as a "manipulative, serious criminal with a high risk of reoffending".

He declined to appear before the board and only gave notice at the last minute because he said he had not been given notification of the hearing, the decision said.

The board denied that allegation.

"This manoeuvre by Mr Smith is an illustration of what the board has described in the past as his manipulative behaviour," the ruling said.