Mark Ron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Mark Ron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:618;Page:13971] 
6.  
RON MARK (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: Was Arthur Alexander Gray’s original sentence of imprisonment taken into account before he was released under probation supervision in Nelson last year and subsequently attempted to kill two backpackers? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON (Acting Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 I am advised that Arthur Alexander Gray was released from prison at his statutory release date. There was no discretion about his release. He was not released to the backpackers hostel in Nelson. Gray made contact with the Nelson probation office after moving from Auckland and finding his own accommodation. He had told the backpackers hostel owner about his background. The probation officer met with the owners and also informed the police of Gray’s whereabouts. Alternative accommodation was being sought when the subsequent offending occurred. 
Ron Mark 
: Is the Minister of Corrections aware that Arthur Gray who was jailed for aggravated robbery and who killed an inmate whilst in Paremoremo prison had been paroled only 11 days prior to his vicious attack on Tobias Sieber; if he is what confidence does he have in firstly the Parole Board to protect the public from vicious criminals and secondly the rehabilitation programmes that we are paying hundreds of millions of dollars for and that clearly do not work? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: I repeat that the Parole Board had no discretion as to whether to release Mr Gray. To keep him longer would have been to retain him beyond the period of his sentence. 
Georgina Beyer 
: What is the Government doing to ensure that offenders who are released from prison are adequately resettled back into the community so as to reduce their chances of reoffending? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: My colleague the Minister of Corrections has recently announced in this year’s Budget additional funding for reintegration. An extra $1.25 million has now been made available for offender reintegration and this will rise to $1.4 million in July 2005. This funding is to pilot new resettlement initiatives aimed at ensuring that inmates are given the best chance of rehabilitation upon release by being assisted with obtaining such things as stable accommodation and employment. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Why does she believe that Arthur Alexander Gray convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 9 years in jail should be entitled to apply for parole after only 3 years? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: May I repeat that in fact the Parole Board had no discretion. Mr Gray had completed his sentence and therefore the law required him to be released. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I think the Minister was confused. I was referring to his current sentence. He is now in jail for 9 years but under the Government’s law is entitled to apply for parole after only 3 years and that is what I was asking the Minister about. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member has made his point. The Minister might like to answer that. 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: Yes Mr Speaker. I apologise for misunderstanding the member’s question. There is of course no obligation for parole to be given after he has served that period and in these circumstances of course the Parole Board will take into account that Gray’s sentences does reflect that he is a risk to the community. 
Ron Mark 
: Why will this Government not accept and implement the very popular and sensible New Zealand First policies that include— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Will the member please come to the question. That is a little bit of extra fact that he does not need to add to render the question intelligible. Would he now ask the question. 
Ron Mark 
: —“three strikes and you’re out” and a requirement for violent and dangerous offenders to demonstrate their rehabilitation before they are even considered for parole; or do we all simply have to live in hope that the Government gets things right? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: I think the Minister of Justice in the House today has very ably outlined the policies that the Government is pursuing. I would make just one other comment and that is that anyone who has studied the “three strikes and you’re out” policy that is in effect in California should think again. 
Marc Alexander 
: Will the Minister in respect of the original question give the House an assurance that the Department of Corrections will not allow any more paroled criminals to be placed in backpackers hostels amongst unsuspecting travellers as was revealed by the Minister of Corrections and by the Department of Corrections Chief Executive Mark Byers at last week’s Law and Order Committee; if not why not? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: As indicated it is desirable that those released on parole find appropriate accommodation. I would point out of course that 0.25 percent of people have been placed or have placed themselves in backpackers hostels—that is three out of a muster of 1200 have had that accommodation.