Rift between Corrections and Parole Board Jeopardises Public Safety

3 March 2015

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is incensed that a rift between the Department of Corrections and the Parole Board has the potential to undermine public safety.

Trust founder, Garth McVicar said the Phillip Smith / Traynor debacle had brought a long festering issue into the public arena but the ensuing power struggle was causing huge anxiety and frustration to victims.

“There have been a number of cases recently where the Parole Board have declined to release an offender but the Corrections Department seem to have interfered and overruled the Parole decision.”

McVicar said that the most recent case he was aware of was that of Luke Sibley who is serving a life sentence for the murder of 3 year old Brittany Crothall and attempted Murder of her mother Jayne.

“In 2012 the Parole Board told the victims family Sibley would NEVER be released without completing a specific rehabilitation course which included a STURP program.”

But Brittany’s mother Jayne Crothall said the Corrections Department had instigated reintegration measures in Wanganui without any treatment for his violent offending.

In a statement released today Jayne said, "This monster murdered my beautiful 3 year old daughter and then in a prolonged vicious attack tried to murder me with a hammer and a knife. The Parole Board promised me in 2012 that they would NEVER release him without completing the STURP [Special treatment rehabilitation program]. But now they have changed their mind and he doesn't have to do it! WHY? Is it because he is too scared for his own safety and can’t face the reality of what he has done? Now it appears Corrections are beginning reintegration measures into Whanganui without adequate treatment for his violent offending. The most recent report I have been privy to states that he is at "high risk of further violent offending" Too scared to do the rehabilitation, not ready for release I say!"

“I also fear that while it is a good thing that the escape of Phillip Smith / Traynor has tightened security and rules around work to release programs. It appears that Corrections are making reintegration decisions and bypassing the pre-existing steps.” Jayne Crothall

McVicar said anything that caused added stress and anxiety to victims and put public safety at risk was simply not good enough. “I am deeply concerned that this is more than a conflict between Corrections and Parole Board, in fact I suspect this is a back door way of releasing potentially dangerous criminals. ”

“Sensible Sentencing Trust believes public safety must always be of paramount consideration.”

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