The Howard League Warns the Wanganui Council of Court Action

The Howard League for Penal Reform has written to the Wanganui District Council indicating that it is likely to issue a High Court challenge over Council steps to orchestrate the shunning of Stewart Murray Wilson.

“The Howard League’s decision is about taking a stand against local bodies feeding moral panic and hysteria in these cases,” Howard League spokesperson Barrister Steve Rollo said.

“Experts tell us that forcing Wilson underground and into social isolation increases rather than reduces the risk of reoffending because the best way to avoid sex offenders creating more victims is to keep them in the midst of other people so they’re under watchful eyes.”

“The Wanganui council’s community shunning campaign against Stewart Wilson is not only unlawful but it potentially increases the risk to the community”.

“The very reason for the Howard League’s existence is to see less victims of crime through rational evidence based debate about penal policies. What the Wanganui Council has done is the exact opposite of what the experts suggest is the best course for dealing with people like Stewart Wilson so the League is taking up the issue lest this sort of hysteria catch on nationwide.”

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