Mentality of Releasing Killers Questioned
Recent media coverage of mentally ill killers being released unsupervised into the community has prompted the Sensible
Sentencing Trust to call into question the safety of such decisions.
As reported this week a number of killers have been identified as having been granted unescorted leave by the Ministry
of Health.
Gareth Smither, Jason Butler and Charles Coulam are all convicted murderers who have been transferred to forensic mental
health facilities due to diagnoses of schizophrenia. All have been denied parole, however, the Director of Mental Health
has approved them unescorted community leave meaning they can enjoy unsupervised community leave from hospital for up to
seven nights at their doctors discretion.
Graeme Moyle, the Sensible Sentencing Trusts Mental Health Issues Spokesman is critical of the situation and highlights
a number of reasons for concern.
“Firstly, these men are dangerous killers with significant mental health issues” Moyle says, “they have all been denied
parole however the parole boards decisions have been overruled by well-meaning yet naïve mental health professionals”.
“It is a curious thing that there were psychiatrists on the panel that denied these individuals parole yet their
colleagues within the mental health system have chosen to undermine their expertise” Moyle said.
“What you have here is two Government agencies with differing opinions on risk assessment and public safety”.
“The parole board quite rightly view these men as unsuitable for release yet the Director of Mental Health is thumbing
his nose at the board by not only releasing them, but releasing them unsupervised”.
“It is the Sensible Sentencing Trusts view that if these killers are suitable to be released unsupervised into the
community then they are well enough to return to prison to complete their judge given sentences”.
Mr Moyle also has concerns regarding victim notification and access to information regarding these offenders.
“Whilst in prison the victim’s families had access to information regarding these individuals and their progress towards
rehabilitation, this right to information evaporates once the offender is transferred to a mental hospital and this lack
of transparency re-victimises these families”.
“It’s an appalling situation and one that needs to be addressed immediately” Moyle said.
“In the wake of Phillip Smiths departure for Rio, it would seem a more cautious approach to leave entitlements would be
prudent, rather than the least restrictive approach currently in favour within mental health services”.
ENDS