ONE of the notorious Skaf-gang rapists who preyed on Sydney women has today been refused bail for the third time, by the State Parole Authority, but granted extended weekend leave to "encourage his successful integration into the community".

Mohamed Sanoussi, aged 28, has served almost 12 years of a maximum 16 year sentence for his role in two gang rapes in 2000. He was first eligible for parole in 2010.

He was one of 14 men, including gang leader Bilal Skaf, who raped a young woman multiple times in locations across western Sydney, as well as two other women in a park in Greenacre.

Head of the parole panel, Judge Terry Christie, said that if Mr Sanoussi completed his program of weekend leave without incident he could possibly be released as early as January or February next year.

"We have been persuaded that the prisoner do weekend leave," Judge Christie said. "If that is undertaken, we would propose releasing him for parole on the second Friday of the new year."

Mr Sanoussi's leave will begin next Saturday.

However, a spokesperson for the NSW State Parole Authority said Mr Sanoussi would still be required to sit another hearing before being granted parole.

In refusing Sanoussi for the third consecutive year, SPA considered submissions on behalf of Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin.

The Authority took into account Commissioner Severin’s decision to extend the frequency of Sanoussi’s existing day leave to weekends, to encourage his successful reintegration into the community before being released to parole.

Sanoussi will be subject to electronic monitoring and drug and alcohol abstinence while undertaking his graduated reintegration into the community.

Already two of the Skaf-gang rapists have been released on parole.

The Commissioner’s submission stated, “Mr Sanoussi faces considerable hurdles in successfully reintegrating into the community, including the fact he’s spent his adult life in custody.”

The Commissioner also cited Sanoussi’s intellectual disability, mental health issues, institutionalisation and his difficulty putting into practice all the complex lessons he had learned during his time in a custody-based intensive treatment program.

The Commissioner’s submission further said, “It is anticipated that this graduated release will allow his progress to be monitored by (his support) network and the Probation and Parole officer who will supervise him upon full time release.”

The Probation and Parole Service supported Sanoussi’s graduated reintegration into the community prior to parole.

Their report said, “Given the length of his incarceration, this Service has had concerns regarding his resettlement into the community. As such…monitoring will be an important part of this inmate’s case management.”

The Authority also directed Sanoussi to participate in community psychology services and to continue drug and alcohol counselling.

Sanoussi will commence weekend leave later this month, on a fortnightly basis, before SPA re-considers his parole early next year.