More Secure Mental Health Facilities Needed - Nz First

New Zealand First is calling for the re-establishment of secure mental health institutions for patients such as Raurimu killer Stephen Anderson who is now being given leave from Porirua hospital near Wellington.

“It is totally unacceptable that Anderson, a paranoid schizophrenic, who killed six family members and friends, is placed in a low security ward and allowed to come and go as he pleases,” said law and order spokesperson Ron Mark.

“It was the failure of the same lax policy that led to Anderson not taking his medication and going on a shooting spree six years ago.

“Regrettably, the victims, this man and his family have all paid a terrible price for lax mental health policies for which the politicians and officials involved have never been held to account.

“How many more deaths will it take before the Government finally accepts that there is a place for secure mental health institutions in our society and that killers like Anderson should be kept in them?”

Mr Mark said he also wanted to know who would be held responsible if the system again failed Anderson and he re-offended.

“Or will everyone simply duck for cover as they usually do on these tragic occasions?”

© Scoop Media