A five-time rapist described by prison staff as one of the most savage men in New Zealand has been released to the village of Pukerua Bay, just north of Wellington.
Michael John Carroll, in prison for 21 of the past 23 years, was paroled on February 11, having been twice turned down.
Corrections staff are horrified that the 44-year-old, who also received a five-figure compensation payout as a former Lake Alice Hospital patient, has been released.
One worker said: "We thought if he was ever released, the chances are he will kill. This man is dangerous. If he's dangerous in prison he's going to be dangerous outside."
Carroll was first convicted for rape as a 21-year-old. Two years later, on weekend leave from prison, he raped again.
In 1988, he was sentenced to preventive detention on three counts of rape and abduction, again committed on parole.
The parole board which released Carroll included the man who sentenced him to preventive detention in 1988, Justice Tony Ellis, now retired.
At the time of sentencing, Justice Ellis said there was no alternative to preventive detention because Carroll was likely to offend again.
Psychiatric reports said Carroll had a personality disorder and a deep anger towards women which could lead him to kill.
Justice Ellis said the five-person board considered recent Psychological Services reports and others from the Department of Corrections on his behaviour in prison.
"After considering all this information, the board determined that his risk to the community had been substantially lessened to such an extent that he could now be released on parole," Justice Ellis said.
Carroll must abide by special conditions for two years, which Justice Ellis would not reveal.
Carroll's violence continued in prison. He planted a dart in the forehead of a fellow inmate, attacked a female officer with a pair of scissors and assaulted three other guards on separate occasions. He was once beaten by inmates for being too slow to pay a debt and mocking prisoners he owed money to.
He once punched a lawyer, knocking out three teeth, after he suggested a better way of presenting himself.
One of his former lawyers, Christopher Ruthe, said Carroll has the ability to manipulate people. In the late 1980s Carroll insisted he was a changed man. Paroled, he raped again.
"In my view, he is perhaps New Zealand's most dangerous predator," Mr Ruthe said.
Carroll was paroled into Pukerua Bay without residents being notified.
Carroll was abandoned by his mother as a baby and subjected to neglect and physical abuse as a child.
He spent time in psychiatric institutions, where he received electric shock treatment and was diagnosed with a severe personality disorder.
In prison he spent significant time in the "pound" or isolation as punishment for violent outbursts.
"He's quick tempered. He broods. And then he starts having those evil thoughts. He will kill somebody. We'd rather have him where we can keep an eye on him," a Corrections Department staff member said.
The same staff member said Carroll did no rehabilitation courses for his sexual offending. Most courses were to enable him to function in prison society.
"Everyone just assumed that he was one of those on preventive detention who would stay there forever. It surprised the hell out of everybody that he was released."
Being on preventive detention, Carroll is on lifetime parole and can be recalled at any time.
- NZPA
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