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The Parole Board has described a proposal paedophile Graham Capill be freed early from prison so he can be assessed for a sex offenders' programme as "novel".
Capill, a former head of the Christian Heritage political party and a former police prosecutor, is serving a nine-year jail sentence
for the sexual violation of three young girls, aged between five and 11.
The Parole Board today released its report on Capill's first application for parole since he admitted his offending and was jailed in 2005.
The board said he had been an "exemplary" prisoner but it would not release him until he had attended a child sex offender programme.
Capill's victims still held concerns he would pose an "undue risk" to the community, the board said.
"The present position is that you have not completed any programmes in prison thus far which could be said to have reduced your risk," it said.
However, it said the recommended programme in prison the Kia Marama Programme for child sex offenders - would probably not be available to Capill until July, 2010.
That timing was due to the Corrections Department not permitting him to start, unless completion of it would coincide with about two-thirds of Capill's sentence.
A psychologist's report strongly recommended Capill undertake the programme, the board said.
Capill's lawyer suggested that he be released early to be assessed for an alternative STOP programme and sent back to prison if found to be unsuitable.
The Parole Board regarded that as "perhaps a novel suggestion".
It said the proposal would require an assessment, and psychologist's report on whether the programme was suitable for Capill.
"Parole is declined. It is always open to you to come up with some alternative proposal, which perhaps it involves the STOP programme, but that is a matter for you."
All prisoners are required to have a parole hearing after serving a third of their sentences, and then a hearing every 12 months after that.
Capill's conduct in prison had been "exemplary" and he had excellent support, the board's report said.
"There have been no misconducts. Amongst the papers we have you are described as being polite and compliant and you have obviously spent your time well in prison."
Capill had support from some people whose names were withheld.
His wife is understood to be standing by him despite his convictions.
- With NZPA
