Drug Testing Law Loophole Risks Lives

28th April 2016

“Whether an offender is on strict Release Conditions, Parole, bail or serving a community based sentence, mandatory random drug testing should be compulsory “. Scott Guthrie

“Convicted double murderer Leith Ray was released on parole recently and it was a mere 33 days before he was recalled to prison because of drug use - but it wasn’t Corrections or Police who caught him out. Incredibly, there is apparently no law which allows the probation service to drug test parolees – despite thousands of them being precluded from drug and alcohol use by their parole conditions” Guthrie said.

“The Department of Corrections can only work within the parameters that the law allows them to when monitoring any offender on parole or home detention. How on earth can they possibly carry out their functions, and enforce parole conditions, when there is no law enabling them to do so? We all know there are any number of ‘human rights’ lawyers who will jump on them if they try to.” said Guthrie.

“Tony Robertson ran over, then raped and murdered innocent, defenceless wife and mother Blessie Gotingco within months of being released from prison on strict release conditions, and an extended supervision order. The conditions included not using drugs or alcohol, and wearing a GPS monitor. He had just been released after serving 8 years for the kidnapping and sexual violation of a 5 year old.”

“When he killed Blessie Gotingco Robertson was fuelled up on methamphetamine, but we now know his Probation Officer could not monitor his drug use. How many other potential Tony Robertson’s are there out there, who are also subject to non-enforceable conditions?” Guthrie said.

“Blessie’s death was totally preventable and highlights that the current New Zealand system does not effectively monitor high-risk offenders”. Family friend of the Gotingco family

“Sensible Sentencing Trust calls on the Government to urgently pass legislation to allow for mandatory drug and alcohol testing for any offender out in the community who is subject to conditions that he or she not consume alcohol or drugs. Surely this is one of those rare cases when such legislation should attract the support of all political parties? We will be watching.”

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/outrage-after-nz-killer-caught-taking-meth-while-parole?autoPlay=4865175711001

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