The revelation that a convicted murderer was able to orchestrate a deadly attack from jail raises serious questions about security in the nation's prisons.
The brother of a man murdered execution style by Joseph Russell Rewiri, who went on to orchestrate the attack of a Tauranga man from jail, has asked for an inquiry into how the dangerous inmate got access to a cellphone.
Rewiri was sentenced in February 2008 to life in prison with 14 years' non-parole for the murder of Rotorua man Peter Franklyn. Three-and-a-half years later, Gary Kimura was killed by a man sent to his home by Rewiri, who last week pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Te Puke man Witeri Neketai was this week found guilty of the murder. During this most recent trial it was revealed Rewiri instructed Neketai through text messages to "hammer" Mr Kimura, who died after a punch knocked him to the ground and his skull was fractured.
The visit was to collect a $31,000 drug debt.
Mr Franklyn's outraged brother, Gary Franklyn, rightly asks how Rewiri was able to orchestrate a crime from a maximum security prison: "How the hell could he have orchestrated this when he is locked up in Paremoremo, which is supposed to be a maximum security prison.
It just defies belief."
This disturbing case shatters the belief that imprisonment protects society from an inmate.
A hardened criminal has been able to reach out from behind bars to orchestrate a crime that resulted in a man's death. Mr Franklyn's family now fear for their own safety.
Security breaches obviously occur in prison but this incident one has had devastating consequences.
An inquiry is needed to uncover how this was able to happen.
We need to know that something is being done to prevent such a crime occurring in the future.
