KEY POINTS:
It's hard to understand why a violent offender like Graeme Burton was released from prison - until you read the Parole Board's reports. And then it becomes a little easier to understand.
You can read the reports online (see the website link below) and I'd urge you to do so and then form your own opinions about whether the decision was correct.
On the face of it, it seems absurd that Burton was released. In 1992, at the age of 21, Burton was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Paul Anderson. He escaped from prison in 1998, committed a burglary while on the run and when recaptured, was sentenced to a further three years in prison.
He first came before the board in September 2005 but his application for parole was declined as temporary releases hadn't been arranged. These would have given the board an idea of Burton's ability to cope outside the prison environment after 14 years of lock-up. The board made note of the fact that Burton had excellent support networks, his behaviour had been impeccable since his escape, he wasn't involved in drugs and he'd taken part in a very important pilot which involved a number of agencies working together to ensure proper reintegration and return to communities. Well, the very important pilot didn't work, did it? But we have the benefit of hindsight - the Parole Board didn't. All they can go on is what is presented to them at the hearings. Burton applied again for parole in March last year. Again, he was turned down - this time because there was no updated psychological report on his risk of reoffending.
However, by July, the Parole Board was persuaded that it was safe to release Burton. A person affected by the murder was given the opportunity to speak to the board. She raised concerns about Burton's lack of remorse, his mindset and his potential to re-offend, and requested that he "pursue the course of peace and choose love".
An unsubstantiated allegation in the psychological report was dismissed as irrelevant by the board in assessing risk, and he was released. With, as we know, tragic consequences. So who is to blame? First and foremost, Burton himself. He was given an opportunity to change his ways and he chose not to. He clearly has a callous disregard for human life and may kill again, given the opportunity. I'm no psychologist, but their opinions don't appear to be based on anything other than gut feelings either and are not worth the paper they're printed on.
The finger of blame has been pointed at the board but really, what could the board do? Burton is an A-grade bullshitter. He talked the talk, kept his nose clean, attended the courses and fulfilled all the requirements for parole. Unless we pass a law requiring life to mean life, most of these people have to come out eventually.
Perhaps most culpable, apart from Burton himself, is the Corrections Department. It failed to sound the alarm when Burton breached his parole conditions, despite the fact the board drew its attention to the importance of following up on any transgression. Its spokesman may say that all the appropriate procedures were followed. If that's the case procedures need to be changed.
The department needs to understand and acknowledge that if Burton had been recalled earlier, Karl Kuchenbecker might be alive today.
