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Media Articles Inmates accuse jail of Mental Torture?

Inmates accuse jail of Mental Torture?

This was first published in the Hawkes Bay Today on the 28th October 2003

I was astounded to read recently that nine violent criminals, (four are still in prison) are taking Court action alleging that they have been mistreated and subjected to "Mental Torture" while in prison. One of these criminals is convicted murderer Christopher Taunoa who in cold blood killed Sanson publican Hugh Lynch in 1996.

Wellington lawyer Tony Ellis states that Taunoa lost 13 kilograms while he was in solitary confinement; I wonder if Mr. Ellis has even bothered to consider the "Mental Torture" Mr. Lynch suffered as his life was so savagely taken at the hands of Taunoa. Or the "Mental Torture" his wife and family continue to suffer every day knowing how the one they loved was brutally killed by the callous violent actions of this low life. Torture is a word these criminals should well understand, their horrendous acts of torture is exactly what landed them in prison in the first place.

These violent criminals had a choice, they showed no mercy for their victims as they violently brutalised and viciously raped or murdered them. The audacity of vermin like Taunoa never fails to amaze me, they brutally torture and kill, and yet when the boot is on the other foot and they are held accountable and responsible for their actions, they cry foul!

Most people will remember it was not long ago that our Attorney General, the honourable Ms Margaret Wilson, paid $90,000 each to three inmates for supposedly being mistreated while in prison, most of us thought at the time that decision was absolutely crazy, now the scenario is to be repeated. Will Ms. Wilson buckle on this one?

When will our so-called leaders wake and realise that the more we bow to the demands of criminals and their protectors (or should I say those riding the gravy train) the greater the price society will pay. Our violent crime statistics are escalating at an alarming rate and yet our government introduced pathetic legislation last year that allows most criminals to apply for parole at one third of their sentence.

Remember the Norm Withers referendum? 92% of sound thinking New Zealand voters overwhelmingly supported the call for tougher penalties. Well this new legislation that was hailed to be the Governments answer, instructs Judges to impose the "least restrictive sentence appropriate", Judges must now also take into account the criminals "family, whanau, community, and cultural background"! Absolutely crazy!!

But it does not end there; this "warm fuzzy" legislation goes on to instruct the Court that they "must have regard to the desirability of keeping offenders in the community"! Desirable for whom? If your daughter has been raped, or your car has been stolen, or your house burgled, do you want the criminal back in the community?

This legislation is directly responsible for the large number of criminals now being sentenced to community work, as we have seen in recent publicity this has become a totally voluntary sentence with no teeth and no repercussions for criminals if they decide to ignore the Courts instructions.

The only thing necessary for this evil to continue is for good men and women to do nothing, our silence has been seen as consent, we are paying the price for that silence now.