FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Beast of Blenheim may die in prison under Nationals proposal
The Sensible Sentencing Trust has welcomed the announcement today that a re-elected National Government will ensure the
very worst high-risk sexual or violent offenders will be kept in custody.
Trust Spokesman, Garth McVicar said the new law would mean that high risk offenders such as the Beast of Blenheim would
not automatically be released – and that is very sensible.
“This law ensures that public safety comes before the rights of offenders like the ‘Beast’ to be released just because
they reached sentence end – no matter the high risk of reoffending.”
“We have seen a number of cases where these ‘time-bombs’ reach sentence end and are released – no matter the risk they
pose.”
“Most New Zealanders will recall Malcom Chaston who told everyone what he would do when released. He was released and
carried out his threats; a young woman by the name of Vanessa Pickering was murdered as a result.”
“I distinctly remember sending the warnings we [SST] received from prison staff to the then Ministers of Justice and
Corrections [Labour Government] but was told nothing could be done.”
“We congratulate National for taking this very brave step, no doubt the civil liberties will be marching in the street
but we believe the civil liberties of good honest law-abiding citizens MUST always come before the rights of these
heinous offenders this law is targeting.”
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is also very pleased that National will introduce pre-screening of parole applications,
also announced today.
“The current parole system is causing totally unnecessary anxiety and stress to victims and it is great to see a ‘human’
face and common sense approach with this announcement.”
“This will be very welcome by the thousands of victims’ the Sensible Sentencing Trust represents. It was a very cruel
system that put these people through a parole hearing every year even when all concerned [including the offender] knew
they would not get parole.”
“It’s great to see public safety and victim well being is being treated seriously.”
“This is a very compassionate proposal that puts victims and public safety at the forefront of the system and we applaud
that.” ENDS
ends