Editorial: Right to refuse parole to Kuka

How often do we hear and read in the news the New Zealand Parole Board being slammed for making poor decisions?

The criticism is usually when it lets a dangerous criminal out too early, who then goes on to commit nasty offences.

Of course, the Parole Board never intends to get it wrong - it works very hard to get it right.

That's why one of its most recent decisions deserves praise.

Rotorua's Lisa Kuka has just been denied early release on parole by the board.

There is no way this despicable mother should be given any favours - and the Parole Board agreed.

The 38-year-old mother of murdered toddler Nia Glassie made her first appearance before the Parole Board since her nine-year jail term began in February 2009.

She was jailed for the manslaughter of her 3-year-old daughter, after being found guilty by a jury.

Her former partner, 19-year-old Wiremu Curtis, and his brother, Michael, 22, are serving life sentences for the child's murder.

It appears from the Parole Board's notes, Kuka hasn't learned much from the death of her daughter. She has accepted full responsibility for her offending but, according to the Parole Board, hasn't yet addressed the issues that led to it.

Basically, she has not opened up to the psychologist as much as they want her to so they can assess her risk of reoffending.

The Parole Board noted she had been described as a "fantastic worker" and had played an integral part in the preparation of the smoke-free prison.

Congratulations to her but that's called being normal - being a helpful member of society. Most of us contribute to the world like that every day.

This mother has a long way to go before she convinces the country she doesn't deserve to be behind bars for several more years to come.