Killers who refuse to reveal where they hid their victim’s body could still be freed from jail despite Helen’s Law coming into force next year.
Parole Board chief Martin Jones warned that the legislation is far from a “no body, no parole” mandate.
Though failure to co-operate is likely to extend custody initially, the Parole Board must still release prisoners if it is decided they are no longer a risk to the public, Mr Jones said.
He added: “It’s described as ‘no body, no parole’ – that’s not what this legislation does, at all.
“It requires the Parole Board to take it into account before we make a decision but, ultimately, if someone is no longer a risk, we must release them.”
The Mirror has campaigned for the law change, named after Helen McCourt who vanished in 1988.
Her killer Ian Simms got out this year despite never revealing where he hid her body. Mr Jones said the Prisoners (Disclosure Of Information About Victims) Bill “would not have made a difference” to Simms’ release.
The law will also apply to paedophiles who refuse to identify those they abused.
The latest comments could cast doubt on how effective the new rules will be in changing the current system.
Parole Board guidance already says offenders who withhold information may still pose a risk to the public and could therefore face longer in prison.
Courts can also hand down tougher sentences for murderers who deliberately conceal the location of a body.
The law sets out to toughen up existing guidelines, making it a legal requirement for the Parole Board to take into account a killer's failure to disclose the location of their victim's remains when considering them for release.
