Editorial: Escape serious matter

Phillip Smith should not have escaped so easily

There is one thing we all seem to be talking about.

How did Phillip Smith leave the country while on a temporary release from prison?

It is scary this can happen in our society. Many of us were unaware prisoners were allowed out on this sort of temporary release, and many are now so angry at how this can go so wrong.

Smith, who was jailed for life in 1996 with a minimum non-parole period of 13 years, fled on Thursday. He flew to Chile using a passport obtained in his birth name - Phillip Traynor.

Police yesterday confirmed Smith had travelled from Santiago in Chile to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Police were continuing to liaise with relevant authorities in South America through Interpol as part of their investigation.

He had been temporarily released from Spring Hill Prison in Waikato hours earlier and had permission to stay at a house in Waterview, Auckland. When he did not return to the jail as scheduled on Sunday, a manhunt was started.

Police say Smith may have been planning his escape for years. Every piece of information we have about this man is that he is dangerous and should not be approached. If he is so dangerous, why was he allowed out in the first place?

If prisoners must be released into our community on day release, what assurances can be made that they are safe enough to be integrated back into our community?

Even Smith's biological father has said it was "absolute stupidity" to let Smith out of prison because he was a dangerous "menace".

John Traynor said his son had a lengthy criminal history including escaping police custody before he was convicted of murdering the father of a boy he had been molesting in 1995 in Wellington.

In addition, John Key's relaxed attitude to the situation brings no comfort whatsoever.

Mr Key made a joke about fugitive Phillip John Smith, saying he would let Chile's President know she may not want to "invite [him] round for lunch".

The comment has had a backlash on social media and has people questioning if Mr Key appreciated the seriousness of the situation.

Serious reviews need to be put in place to make sure something like this does not happen again.