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Otago Daily Times
March 14
1998
Decision expected on Ellis parole next week
NZPA
Christchurch: Convicted sex abuser Peter Ellis will
know next week if he will be released on parole after serving nearly half of
a 10-year sentence.
Ellis was called before a parole board hearing on Thursday at Christchurch's
Paparua Prison but refused to appear, saying he would not accept freedom if
it implied he were guilty.
Ellis was sentenced in 1993 to 10 years' jail after being found guilty of
sexually abusing children at the Christchurch Civic Creche between 1986 and
1992.
Thursday was the first time he was eligible for a parole hearing.
The hearing continued without him after the board was advised via letter of
his decision not to appear.
His lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, said on Thursday Ellis had maintained his
innocence since he was first accused.
"Any release at this stage would inevitably mean a release on parole
subject to certain conditions. Such a release is not compatible with his
fight to have his convictions overturned.
"He continues to maintain his innocence and, while he is most anxious to
regain his freedom and to return to his family and friends, he cannot accept
that freedom if it is granted on the basis that he is a guilty man."
Lesley Ellis, his mother, said Ellis had consistently refused to take courses
and counselling offered in prison because a large component involved
addressing the offending - and he was innocent.
The parole board was bound by law to consider the cases of inmates eligible
for parole who wished to appear before it.
It would reconsider each case at least once every 12 months.
Although Ellis had not appeared before the board, his release would still be
considered and a decision would be made next week.
Department of Corrections communications adviser Tony Wallace said yesterday
that Ellis' decision not to appear would not necessarily count against him.
"We are required to consider any offender's parole when they are due for
parole. The fact that he chooses not to appear still means the case is
considered. If someone chooses not to appear, well, that is their
decision."
Parole boards examine several factors when a prisoner is due to be considered
for parole.
"They look at a person's ability to reintegrate, how they have
progressed on their programmes, their likelihood of reoffending, and also
submissions from interested parties, such as victims, lawyers, etc," Mr
Wallace said.
He refused to comment on whether Ellis' refusal to take part in courses at
the prison would affect the decision.
He said there was no set time for notifying a prisoner whether they were
freed on parole.
Parole conditions would be set case by case - "Some are more of an
imposition on offenders than on others".
Conditions could include having to attend rehabilitation courses.
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