Despite her prognosis, the Parole Board has decided that does not meet the exceptional circumstances test for early release.
Vicki Letele with her brother Dave. Photo / Supplied
The board said that Letele's condition would inevitably deteriorate to the extent she would require hospice care and at that time compassionate release would be appropriate.
In contrast to the submissions of several doctors and a nurse, Corrections opposes early compassionate release and has told the board that she is being adequately cared for in prison.
Her family refuse to accept that she is not likely to be released until she has just a few days to live and is taking legal advice, Dave Letele said today.
Boxer Dave Letele (The Brown Buttabean) whose sister Vicki is in prison and has terminal cancer. Photo / Dean Purcell
"I have no confidence in them at all, considering it took seven weeks of my sister complaining that she was sick and my mum, begging the jail to send her to a hospital. That fell on deaf ears."
She had been vomiting a black substance that Letele said doctors told them was faeces.
The prison knew she had previously had ovarian cancer, he said.
Vicki Letele with her parents (front) Tui and David, her partner Leah, and brother Dave. Photo / Supplied
When she was finally taken to Middlemore Hospital terminal cancer was diagnosed.
"The night before she was taken to hospital she kept choking when lying flat. The medical staff at the prison told her to put a mattress up against the wall and sleep upright. Are we in a Bali prison? That's what it seemed like to me.
"The hospital scan found a massive growth. Had they got that earlier, who knows what might have been."
Vicki Letele with her brother Dave, years ago. Photo / Supplied
In March this year, Vicki Letele, a former mortgage broker, was convicted of 10 charges of dishonestly using a document to enable low-income families to obtain home loans. She had received a financial benefit from the criminal activity known as "hydraulic mortgage" fraud.
In April next year she'll be eligible for parole, but there's every chance she won't make it that long.
Vicki Letele with her children and partner. Photo / Supplied
Letele is currently back in Middlemore due to complications but will be return to prison at Wiri when she improves.
Her brother said he understands those who might say it is his sister's bad luck. "She did the wrong thing. Vicki had no problem serving that time but I don't think it fits the crime anymore. The judge didn't sentence her to death in prison."
Vicki Letele in the NZ Kiwi Ferns. Photo / Supplied
His sister has three children, including adopted boys aged 3 and 6. "Our wish is to spend some quality time with her before she passes."
One of the sticking points in this case is the Parole Board's definition of the term "imminent death". It says it's when death is expected between three to five days.
The board has told her that if and when she gets sicker, it will reconsider. But that will be too late, for her family.
"She needs time to tell her young boys that mum isn't going to be around for much longer and to let them know that that is OK," said her brother.
