News Release
For Immediate Release 22 August 2016
Corrections relocates offender from Maungaraki
Please attribute to Corrections National Commissioner Jeremy Lightfoot
This morning Corrections relocated an offender from Maungaraki to a residence on the grounds of Christchurch Men’s
Prison. This is an interim arrangement until such time as a further suitable residence can be identified in the
Wellington region. The offender will continue to be managed by Corrections under the same stringent conditions.
The relocation of this offender became necessary as our service provider’s staff had became increasingly uncomfortable
with the community’s reaction to their presence. Because of this, the service provider regrettably terminated its
contract early.
My staff and our provider went to a great deal of care and effort in placing and managing this offender in Maungaraki.
Corrections worked closely with other agencies including the Police and the Ministry of Education. The local Council was
advised ahead of the placement. Immediate neighbours were notified of the placement, as is my preference with such
cases. I firmly believe that Corrections took all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the community.
The offender was, and continues to be, subject to direct supervision at all times. He may only leave his residence with
prior approval and must be accompanied. In addition, he is electronically monitored with strict exclusion zones. He has
been managed in the community for more than 10 years without re-offending.
It is a daily reality that offenders move to reside in the community at the conclusion of their custodial sentences.
Once released, offenders will frequently be subject to further restrictions depending upon the level of risk that they
pose and the likelihood of reoffending. In most cases, as it was with this offender, these restrictions are sufficient
to protect the public. We also know that a supportive social network and stable accommodation reduces the likelihood of
reoffending.
Corrections has robust procedures that are followed when offenders move to reside in the community and the vast majority
of these placements are successfully undertaken without incident or adverse reaction from the local community. Despite
this, the movement of some offenders on release from prison can become particularly challenging for my staff, our
providers, partner agencies and the communities in which they reside.
After concerns were expressed by some residents my staff attended a public meeting and subsequently met with the Mayor
and local Members of Parliament to listen to their concerns.
My staff have a statutory responsibility to place offenders in the community following both the direction of the court
and the Parole Board, this is not an authority they can fail to act on, it is the law. My preference is that they do
this with the support of local community leaders when high risk offenders are involved, that way a more sustainable
outcome should be able to be achieved for all concerned parties.
If we can learn from the experience in Maungaraki ways in which we can do this better for concerned communities we are
absolutely open to doing so.
Corrections is also bringing in extra resources to assist with the placement of offenders in the community.
ends