However, it is not known when any changes will be made.

It follows concerns by Supreme Court Justice Helen Wood that under the current legislative framework prisoners declared dangerous criminals may not initiate an application for discharge.

The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute last year also called for reform to legislation where offenders are declared as dangerous criminals by the courts. 

There are currently five people classified as dangerous criminals in Tasmania.

Attorney-General Elise Archer has promised reform.

“The Government will reform this legislation as we promised at the last state election and as part of our strong commitment to law and order reforms, however our number one priority will always be to keep Tasmanians safe,” Ms Archer said.

Justice Wood last week discharged Jamie Gregory McCrossen’s dangerous criminal declaration describing the length of time he was imprisoned as “Dickensian.”

McCrossen,46, has spent 26 years in jail because of the declaration.

Justice Wood said legislation that allowed no periodic review or obligation for the state to justify continuing detention “carries wide implications, beyond the individual prisoner”.

Barrister and chair of the Prisoners’ Legal Service Greg Barns said Justice Wood was “absolutely right.”

“This legislation urgently needs reform because it is inhumane and grossly unfair,” Mr Barns said.

“These people are not a threat to society and should be released.”

Mr Barns said two of the five dangerous criminals were aged in their seventies.

“They have served well beyond what is required in a civilised society,” he said.

Labor’s legal spokeswoman Ella Haddad said it was crucial Tasmania had a system for declaring dangerous criminals.

“But, like any system, there needs to be checks and balances, and that’s been highlighted by the recent case,” she said.