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Archived Press Releases 2008 29th November 2008

PAROLE: INHUMANE – CRUEL – MERCILESS

(28th November 2008)

The current early release parole system has no place in a modern civilized society says the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar has slammed the parole system as cruel and vindictive to victims. "Releasing offenders at one-third of their Judge given sentence is ruthless and heartless, it causes huge stress and anxiety for victims."

Bob Schollum, Peter McNamara and Brad Shipton were all convicted of the 1989 pack-rape of a Mount Maunganui woman.

McNamara and Shipton have already been granted parole with Schollum to be released in the next fortnight. They will have served approximately one third of their sentences.

McVicar said the early release of rapists and violent offenders is merciless and vindictive to the victims concerned. "Parole is inhumane and merciless to the victims, a civilized society would surely treat victims of violent crimes more humanely than we currently do?"

"Early release of offenders is not just cruel to victims; it has also destroyed the public's confidence in the criminal justice system. More people will start taking the law into their own hands – exacting retribution – when they realize the system is designed around the rights and needs of the offenders rather than of those offended against."

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is lobbying the new Government to abolish parole for sex offenders and violent offenders with a mandatory 25 year sentence after the third violent offence.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.