Niue freeing criminals to mark anniversary

By John Andrews

The tiny Pacific island of Niue looks set to free its prisoners and close its jail as it begins celebrating 25 years of self-rule this weekend.

The plan, confirmed this week by the Premier, Sani Lakatani, is worrying Foreign Affairs officials in Wellington and has been sharply criticised by the island's former Police Commissioner.

Mr Lakatani, who returned to Niue this week after a two-month convalescence following heart surgery, said the island had no serious or hardcore criminals.

"Why have a prison to lock up people for petty crimes? Surely, why not periodic detention?"

Mr Lakatani said he would discuss the prison closure with Government colleagues and hoped to announce it during the constitution celebrations, which begin today.

Under the proposal the Government would parole the prisoners and let them return to their villages, where they would do community work.

But Andy Lovelock, the island's former Police Commissioner who was dumped from his post in May after a confrontation with the Government, said the idea was disgraceful.

Mr Lovelock, now an Auckland detective, said at least four prisoners were serving jail terms of up to nine years for crimes such as rape, incest and indecent assault.

"If the Government releases the prisoners, it is meddling with the judicial process," he said. "The resulting message to the community is that men who violate girls will not be put in jail and the victims will then have to accept the risk of violation or assault as part of life."

Mr Lakatani said he was aware of New Zealand's concerns because the High Commissioner to Niue, Michael Pointer, had closely quizzed him over the issue.

The Acting Niue Police Commissioner, Robert Tongiamana, said the prison held just four inmates at the moment, and he had no concerns about closing it. "We send them home at weekends to provide food for their families," he said.

But he agreed that victims might be concerned if inmates were set free.