The Department of Corrections' process for classifying prisoners was challenged in Parliament yesterday after a convicted axe murderer was able to escape while doing gardening work.
National MP Gerry Brownlee questioned how John Ericson was able to walk away from an unsupervised prison work party outside Wellington Prison
on Friday.
He surrendered 26 hours later after a huge manhunt.
Mr Brownlee asked how someone who killed their wife by hitting her with an axe 22 times could be considered minimum risk.
Cabinet Minister Annette King, answering on behalf of absent Corrections Minister Phil Goff, said the system may need to be looked at.
But she said it had been used by hundreds of prisoners since it was set up in 1991 under a National Government.
Research showed reoffending was less common when people were allowed to reconnect with society.
"The reason why there is a classification process is to take people down and give them the opportunity to be able to get back into society because one day they will.
"And based on good research and a system that's been in place - supported for nine years by a National government and continued to be supported [by Labour] - has worked for many, many prisoners."
Mr Brownlee asked what lessons had been learned from the June escape of Reon Kiwi from the same prison.
Ms King said she did not have details of the case but pointed out that escape rates were down 84 per cent in the past 10 years.
Mr Brownlee also criticised Corrections for saying Ericson was unarmed when he had an improvised knife.
"Why is a convicted axe murderer able to access that sort of weaponry in our prisons?"
Ericson, 45, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Wellington District Court to escaping from jail and being in a public place with a weapon.
He was remanded in custody until November 30 for sentence on the two charges.
Ericson is serving a life sentence for murdering his wife in 1999 by striking her repeatedly in the back of the head with a tomahawk while she was sleeping.
- NZPA
