Bailey Kuariki Needs Support Not Surveillance

"Bailey Junior Kuariki is considered by those who know him, to be an extremely low risk offender", said Kim Workman, Project Leader of the Rethinking Crime and Punishment Project. He was responding to a call from Rita Croskery, mother of murder victim Michael Choy, to have Bailey electronically monitored on release.

"Bailey has been rated by the Department of Corrections at the lowest possible level of risk. Those who are close to him in the prison, and those from outside the prison who have supported him, are unanimous in their view that he is very unlikely to reoffend on release. He just wants to be left alone by the media and victim advocacy groups, so that he can live a law abiding life."

"People who care about Bailey are putting support mechanisms into place – people who can support him, mentor him, and hold him accountable on a daily basis. He knows its going to be difficult and that he needs all the help he can get. If he gets positive support, and is able to reintegrative into the community, there's every chance he will not reoffend."

"Intensive surveillance of released prisoners who are not high risk, and who want to keep out of trouble, actually increases the likelihood of the prisoner offending. They resent the "second sentence" they are made to serve, and fear being re-imprisoned for a technical breach of parole, rather than a criminal offence. It is far better to take a positive approach, affirming the offenders' efforts to stay out of trouble, building up their life skills, and helping them to reintegrate into a law abiding community.

While we understand Rita Croskery's grief and hurt, we need to take the steps necessary to ensure that Bailey doesn't create more victims. Providing positive support and accountability is most likely to achieve that.

We understand that Bailey has asked to meet Mrs Croskery and say how sorry he is for what happened. We believe that one day a meeting of that kind will be possible.

ENDS

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