Parole System Labelled Offender Friendly as Victims Told to ‘Suck It Up’

13th April 2016
“The current parole system is extremely unbalanced and offender friendly, it is discriminating and inconsiderate to victims.” Guthrie

Sensible Sentencing Trust Manawatu Spokesperson Scott Guthrie has today labelled the parole system as OFFENDER friendly and totally out of touch with victims or their rights.

In July 2015 convicted murderer Brownie Marsh Mane was released on life parole after serving only 19 years in prison for ordering the callous gutless Taranaki Black Power murder of innocent family man Christopher Crean.

Mr Guthrie said that when Mane was released part of his parole conditions were that he was not to be allowed to enter the Taranaki region for obvious reasons. But only six short months after his release during a parole review hearing Mane applied to have that condition relaxed so he could attend funerals in the Taranaki at his discretion.

“In complete disregard to the Crean family the Parole Board agreed to Mane’s application allowing him to re-entre the Taranaki should he want to!”

“In doing so the Parole Board arrogantly ignored the families repeated requests that none of their son’s murderers ever be allowed back in the Taranaki.”

“To add insult to injury the Crean family were notified by way of a letter informing them that this had happened and told to basically suck it up.” Mr. Guthrie said.

“The current parole system is extremely unbalanced and offender friendly, it is discriminating and inconsiderate to victims.”

“How can it be that an offender has the right to appeal a parole hearing decision but the victim has no right of input into or appeal against any such decision?”

Mr. Guthrie says that the victims need to have more say and more direct input into any offenders release conditions.

“We are calling on the Minister of Justice Amy Adams to start the process of changing this fiasco immediately.” ENDS

ENDS

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