Corrections must front up on William Bell

The Department of Corrections needs to explain its complete and utter failure in the parole of William Duane Bell, says National Corrections spokesman Tony Ryall.

"National wants total disclosure from Corrections, particularly on suggestions that Bell broke his parole conditions some weeks before the RSA murders, but was let back into the community by probation officers.

"Obviously, Bell has violated every one of any parole conditions he may have had when released from prison five months before the murders.

"The Corrections Department must front up with a full and frank admission of its responsibilities in this tragic matter.

"Who was monitoring Bell? Was he meeting his reporting obligations? Did anyone follow-up on him? These are the questions the victims' families – and all New Zealanders – have a right to know.

"There are suggestions that Bell had not told probation officers where he was living or working, or with whom he was associating. Further, there are suggestions that Bell offended against his parole conditions well before the murders and was returned to the community by Corrections staff.

"Corrections owes it to the victims to admit its sorry role in this tragic matter. Nothing short of a full investigation and total public disclosure is acceptable," says Mr Ryall.

© Scoop Media