Killers, rapists beg for mercy on 'Facebook for criminals'

Some of Australia's most notorious killers and rapists have been given an online stage to beg for mercy while they serve lengthy jail-terms for their horrific crimes.

Among them is Hoddle Street mass murderer Julian Knight who has published a 21-page 'Petition for Mercy' to the Governor of Victoria on the controversial website, iExpress.org.au.

Knight is eligible for parole in May this year, after serving a minimum term of 27 years for killing seven people and injuring 19 others in a rampage in Clifton Hill in 1987.

The 47-year-old has published jail yard poetry, essays and photographs of himself as a teenager on the social site, which has been dubbed a 'Facebook for criminals', created by pro-prisoner advocate group Justice Action.

Prisoners are given their own personal webpage and access to an email pen-pal service.

Knight's page is just one of dozens of profiles, used by prisoners to express their remorse, plead for freedom or attempt to justify their crimes.

Another killer begging for forgiveness is Daniel Miles, who is currently serving a life sentence at Goulburn correctional centre in NSW.

Miles, who was aged 18 at the time, murdered his childhood sweetheart, Donna Newsland, in 1990.

Eight years later, he fled jail and murdered Yolanda Michael, 29, who had befriended him while behind bars.

In his personal profile, he claims his 'emotional' growth has been tremendous, blaming drug addiction, immaturity and deep-seated psychological issues for his brutal crimes.

He claims he is a reformed man who is now in a position to help others through their life struggles.

"After my second offence I had to decide whether I would spend my life wallowing in guilt, shame and self-loathing, or whether to try and make some kind of future where I could be constructive in some way," he wrote.

"Ultimately I chose a path where I have tried to define myself as someone who can be known as more than just some guy who committed a couple of wicked acts when he was younger.

"There is no escaping my past, no undoing the damage I’ve done, but given the opportunity I know that I can help others whom may be struggling with life, for I have been there."

One criminal who has seized an opportunity to slam the justice system and his sentence is double murderer Gary Allen Playford, who is serving time at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre, near Gatton, in Queensland.

In 2012, Playford and his accomplice, Trevor Harry Griffiths, were convicted of the shooting murders of two men during a fake drug deal.

The men had arranged to sell marijuana to their victims, but instead killed them both and stole $100,000.

In his bio, Playford wrote: "In January 2009 I was in an alteration (sic) with 3 people which resulted in 2 of them dying. I was convicted in April 2012 and I continue to challenge the outcome.

"The facts of my case should have resulted in a self-defense/manslaughter ruling but things don’t always go your way."

He claims that before prison he was a 'family-orientated' person and 'very popular' with everyone he knew.

"I was always up for a laugh but despised the way in which the government basically ran everyone’s life," he wrote.

"Australia, a free country, as long as you are doing exactly as you are told and believe the government has your best interests at heart. I DON’T!!"

Another criminal, Darin Clare, 38, who was sentenced to life in prison, with a non-parole period of 20 years, for burning his neighbour to death states he wants to hear from 'anyone who is willing to have a yarn'.

"It doesn't have to be about anything in particular, sometimes it's just good to vent and have someone else's view on the subject," he wrote.

Luke Hutchings talks of getting a dog and working on a boat following his release.

His personal profile is accompanied by a photograph of himself with adopted brothers and other family members.

Hutchings and another man, Michael Joseph, were convicted of murdering Andrew Negre by cutting the victim's throat and then disposing of his body in wheelie bin in March 2011.

Hutchings was handed a seven-year jail-term, but hopes to be out of prison by next year.

Former jump jockey Robert James Andrews is serving a life sentence at Port Lincoln Prison for strangling and killing his girlfriend in 1994.

Andrews has been unsuccessful in several legal bids to quash his conviction and clear his name.

In his profile, Andrews continues to protest his innocence, describing his case as a 'Miscarriage of Justice'.

He claims he has been grossly let down by the justice system and called his trial 'unfair'.

The prosecution argued Andrews raped and murdered Christine Jenkins, 44, after she refused to have sex with him following a Christmas party.

Justice Action, which is operated by former inmates, says the website provides prisoners with a platform for self expression and communication.

"It is aimed at empowering people in prisons and forensic hospitals and bringing them into the digital world, reducing the divide and social exclusion that currently exists," the group states on the website.

"Our research has shown that access to computers and the Internet within cells can significantly assist with prisoner reintegration into society and reduce recidivism."