KEY POINTS:
Double murderer Graeme Burton has become a benchmark case for the Parole Board, its chairman says.
Burton was freed on parole last year after serving a life sentence for the murder of Paul Anderson. In January, Burton breached his parole conditions and went on a crime spree which ended with the murder of Wainuiomata man Karl Kuchenbecker - a killing for which he has been sentenced to another life sentence, with a minimum non-parole period of 26 years.
Judge David Carruthers said yesterday: "Since Burton, we get victims who often say 'Remember the mistake we made with Burton' and we get prisoners come in and say 'Look I'm not Burton, please give me a fair go'."
The judge publicly accepted responsibility in the wake of Burton's rampage and promised changes.
Many of the 38 parole board members are in Wellington this week for a two-day training seminar, which is part of the board's response to the criticism over the management of Burton's parole.
"I expected there to be outrage [about Burton] and I would hate to live in a country where no one was upset about an innocent death like that," Judge Carruthers said.
However, he had been dismayed by the level of public debate, which involved a lot of sloganeering and posturing.
He hoped yesterday's seminar, attended by leading justice sector figures and the media, would be the start of a "more thoughtful" debate.
"We needed a reasonable discussion about the risks and advantages from a well-run parole board.
"I think we've done a lot of things since Burton. We've had a lot of help to try and improve information and processes. This is part of it, it will continue and I'd be happy if we faced up to scrutiny. Is this system worthwhile? Is it helpful for the safety overall of New Zealanders? I'm convinced it is and we just have to do it the best we can."
Judge Carruthers said the Parole Board would regain credibility by making professional decisions based on good information about the safe release of prisoners.
It will get some added help within days if, as expected, Parliament passes the Criminal Justice Reform Bill. The bill contains a raft of amendments to toughen up the Parole Act, changes instigated by the Burton case.
Judge Carruthers said changes such as the board being able to call back parolees after three or six months to assess their progress and reintegration would be useful. The added ability for police to recall prisoners in cases where they thought the public were at serious risk would be a good safeguard.
While the worth of parole had been questioned after the Burton case, Judge Carruthers said a well-run parole system remained the best way for convicted criminals to re-enter society after serving their sentences.
"There are 231 murderers now on parole. If they weren't, if we had life without parole, that's another prison, half-a-billion dollars, and $20 million a year looking after them," he said.
