KEY POINTS:
An internal Corrections Department report reviewing procedures leading up to the release of killer Graeme Burton calls for more consultation between Corrections and the Parole Board.
The report said the provision of information by the department to the Parole Board before Burton's release was generally adequate, but could be improved.
Burton pleaded guilty early last month to several charges including murdering Wainuiomata father Karl Kuchenbecker. Mr Kuchenbecker was shot and stabbed on January 6 by Burton, who was being sought by police at the time for breaching parole.
The Parole Board decided last June to release Burton - who had been serving 14 years for murdering Paul Anderson - after a period of "impeccable" behaviour.
There was a public backlash after Mr Kuchenbecker's murder and questions were asked about Burton's character and his ability to reintegrate.
The report said public anger had been created by reports of Burton being violent in prison in the leadup to his release, but such reports had not been substantiated.
Three months earlier Burton had been put into segregation for two weeks "as a result of information that indicated that Burton represented a possible threat to staff".
The report said he stayed in a higher security area until his release, "but no incident or misconduct reports resulted from the investigation into the circumstances that gave rise to Burton's placement on segregation and removal from Unit 4".
The Parole Board got information on "unsubstantiated" allegations about negative behaviour from Burton towards other prisoners or staff through a psychologist.
But the report suggested such information should have had more relevance and been included in an addendum report to the Parole Board in June.
The report otherwise said that "overall" the department had provided the required information to the Parole Board.
Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews welcomed the report and said he would continue to work closely with the Parole Board to "facilitate a greater understanding of these technical matters and encourage board members to seek clarification where appropriate".
- NZPA
