Mrs Slavich has been trying to find when her husband’s killer is to go before the Parole Board. She is on the Victims Notification List, but has not been given the opportunity to make a submission on whether Shane Rogers should be released.

On 1 March, Mrs Slavich received the following advice from Mr DDJ Pomeroy, Acting Site Manager, Central North Island Prisons:

“Further to my letter of 13 June 2001 I can now confirm that inmate Rogers, S.M. will be attending the National Parole Board in Auckland on Tuesday 5 March 2002. You will be advised of the outcome once the board have released their decision.”

“This is the most appalling way to treat Mrs Slavich, and would be one of the most insensitive letters I have ever seen.”

“It sends a clear signal that the Corrections Department has no real interest in the impact Rogers’ release would have on Mrs Slavich and her family, nor does it even recognise they are key parts of the whole process.”

“I wrote to Corrections Minister Matt Robson on 20 February 2002 seeking his assurance that Rogers would not be subject to any form of release without prior consultation with Mrs Slavich, but have received no reply.”

“Mrs Slavich’s rights as a victim seem totally secondary to those of the callous killer who murdered Steven Slavich, and make a mockery of government claims to be tough on crime and sensitive to the victims of violent crime,” Mr Dunne says.

ENDS