7 March 2006

Mark Calls On Parole Board To Recall Namana

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has criticised the Parole Board’s decision to release Rachealle Namana, following her recent claims that she found prison life to be ‘fine’ and that she took drugs while inside.

“It’s bad enough that this person, convicted of the manslaughter of a baby, has admitted that she was not reformed, that she had received drugs, porn and a cell phone while in prison,’ said Mr Mark.

“What is ludicrous is that, now she has been paroled, the Corrections CEO Barry Matthews admits that Namana was “a very difficult prisoner” with no idea of how to treat others, that she tested positive three times for drugs and that despite the support given in prison and attempts to rehabilitate her, it was impossible to turn her around.

“Yet the Parole Board still saw fit to release her.

“The obvious questions that must now be asked of the Parole Board are, if all of the above was true, why was Namana paroled, why was she not required to complete her full sentence and why, on the basis of her public admissions, has she not now been recalled to jail?

“I have made the Minister, Damien O’Connor, patently aware as to New Zealand First’s view of this debacle, and have demanded that Namana be immediately recalled to prison to serve out her sentence. This sorry saga just confirms New Zealand First’s view that the Parole Board should be disbanded,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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