By SCOTT INGLIS
Dangerous child sex criminal Stephen Staynor had his automatic release from prison blocked by the Parole Board because the community rehabilitation programme tailor-made for him fell through.
Further details of why Staynor, a former mental patient, is being kept in jail for at least another six months have been released to the Herald following an Official Information Act request.
Staynor, formerly known as Barry Allan Ryder, was to be freed from Rolleston Prison last month after serving a mandatory two-thirds of a nine-year sentence for kidnapping an 11-year-old Wanganui boy and assaulting him with intent to rape.
Staynor was also convicted of assault with a weapon after pointing a knife at the terrified boy.
His impending release prompted an outcry from his victim's family.
The Corrections Department then applied to the Parole Board under section 105 of the Criminal Justice Act to keep Staynor in jail because officials believed he was likely to commit a specified crime upon his release.
The department has now told the Herald that a comprehensive rehabilitation programme specially designed for Staynor collapsed just before he was to be freed.
There was not enough time to put together an alternative programme.
A department spokesman, David Riley, said the programme included accommodation, and input from the department and a private rehabilitation provider.
Details of the plan and provider are being kept secret for privacy reasons.
The department convinced the Parole Board this month that because the programme could no longer be offered to Staynor, his risk of reoffending had "risen significantly."
Corrections staff were now working on a new package to be ready for Staynor when he next appears before the Parole Board in six months.
The family of Staynor's victim were furious that he was to be released early and that they would have to face the case again in six months.
But Mr Riley believed it was better for offenders like Staynor to be released early under a support programme than let out with no support when they have served their full sentence.
Staynor served time in Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital for trying to rape and strangle two youngsters and his release from there prompted psychiatric nurse Neil Pugmire to warn that he was still dangerous.Mr Pugmire's warning sparked debate on the right of whistle-blowers to raise issues of public concern.
Breakdown of rehab kept abuser off streets
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