BRITAIN’S longest-serving female prisoner could soon be released after nearly 40 years in jail.
Maria Pearson was sentenced to life in 1987 for murdering a love rival.
She was told she would serve at least 11 years — but is still behind bars after refusing to attend rehabilitation programmes.
The 69-year-old mum of three was previously sent to an open prison but returned to closed conditions again after concerns about her behaviour.
But she could finally be released at her tenth parole board hearing next month.
She was once recommended to move to an open prison.
But just three months later she was returned to closed conditions after concerns around her behaviour.
Pearson stabbed her ex-lover’s new partner 17 times in Hartlepool in 1986.
She recently overtook Moors murderer Myra Hindley as the longest-serving female lag.
A parole board spokesman said: “An oral hearing has been listed.”
“It is scheduled to take place in January 2026.”
She will be assessed over two days by experts.
