NZ Corrections Consulted International Experts on Managing Mosque Gunman
The New Zealand Department of Corrections remains tight-lipped on the conditions the mosque gunman will spend the rest of his life under, but new documents reveal it consulted with international experts before the sentencing, to prepare for the man’s incarceration. Brenton Tarrant, the man who carried out the mosque attacks in Christchurch on March 15, 019, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in August last year. Fifty-one people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks. His sentencing was the first time a convicted person has been imprisoned with no possibility of parole. This is the harshest sentence a court can impose, and with that comes logistical challenges for the Department of Corrections on how it manages him for the rest of his life behind bars.
The government had already hosted officials who manage Norwegian
terrorist Anders Breivik, to share advice about how to best manage Tarrant.
New information released under the Official Information Act shows they were not the only advisors Corrections sought guidance from. The Department of Corrections said a staff member from Corrections Victoria in Australia, also visited New Zealand.
And Correction’s Chief Custodial Officer, Neil Beales, went to Australia to visit a prison that holds ‘extreme threat prisoners’. The documents show that in October 2019, Corrections contracted two leading academics to provide specialist advice and support on the management of individuals under the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Directorate.
Some staff at Corrections were also given training around violent extremism, based on information from international sources.