Who's Thinking About Kurariki?

ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today asked who could think Home Detention would help rehabilitate killer Bailey Junior Kurariki when a lack of stable home life contributed to his criminality in the first place.

"Is this funded by legal aid, and does the Legal Services Agency think this application has a chance? During Kurariki's trial, there was talk about how he was out of control and hadn't attended school for three years - while living `at home'. It is inconceivable that returning him to that environment will be good for him, let alone anyone else," Mr Franks said.

"Is anyone `acting for' Kurariki genuinely thinking of his interests by pursuing such a stupid, abhorrent application? What he says he wants is immaterial. In a secure facility, Kurariki has the structure and routine that was so severely lacking in his life, as well as an opportunity for education. Without education and discipline, what chance has such a young thug when he is let out at age 20?

"At his age, and with his record, the only relevance of what he wants should be what it says about his attitude. We have a mad Government when such insult can be offered to the victims. For the vicious young thugs who killed Mr Choy, the whole justice system should be sending a consistent message: `You've hurt harmless people very badly. There is a price pay. You should feel lucky the system doesn't do to you what you did to them. Your sentence is already pitifully inadequate. Without obvious remorse there is not the slightest chance of getting out before the end of your term. You are showing no remorse by asking to have the price of your crime reduced. Forget about getting out early'.

"Kurariki was party to a hideous crime. He was given his sentence for a reason, but the Parole Board is not allowed to take it into account. Bleeding heart Justice Minister Phil Goff insisted on the law that also stops the Parole Board from taking account of lack of remorse, and makes them hear these annual parole requests - instead of simply telling Kurariki there will be no release to so-called home detention.

"If ever a case called for truth in sentencing it is this one," Mr Franks said.

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