Beast of burden: the cost of keeping Stewart Murray Wilson on prison grounds

Friday, 18 May 2018

The 'Beast of Blenheim' Stewart Murray Wilson fishing at the Whanganui River mouth in 2012.

The man dubbed 'The Beast of Blenheim' lives in limbo on the grounds of Whanganui Prison under extended supervision, so what does it cost to keep such a close eye on freed criminals like Stewart Murray Wilson? Matt Stewart reports.

Stewart Murray Wilson's crimes shocked the nation – and while the 71-year-old may never be completely free, keeping him under extended supervision is anything but.

Wilson, once dubbed the Beast of Blenheim, is one of more than 200 of the country's most dangerous violent criminals and sex offenders who are monitored by extended supervision orders (ESOs). His conditions are among the most stringent ever imposed on a New Zealander.

Information released under the Official Information Act reveals it costs the Department of Corrections $63 a day, on average, to manage offenders like Wilson.

Wilson, pictured in 2012, relaxes out of the glare of the media at his self care unit at Whanganui Prison.

Wilson at the time of his trial in 1996.

* Escaping the Beast: How one woman survived Stewart Murray Wilson

* Wilson under police inquiry in two more historic rape cases

Stewart Murray Wilson is sentenced for breaching his parole conditions in the Whanganui District Court.

* Corrections backs off from 'Beast of Blenheim' monitoring plan**

During the 2016-17 financial year there were 213 offenders subject to ESOs, adding up to about $13,400 a day or nearly $4.9 million a year to manage some of our most dangerous criminals.

Stewart Murray Wilson fishes at North Mole, in Whanganui, in 2017.

Corrections says it is too difficult to break down the logistical costs of looking after Wilson specifically, but it admits his price tag is 'significant' because his supervision conditions are so uncompromising.

'The management of Mr Wilson's ESO (and previously, his parole conditions) is comprehensive and comprised of various elements,' Corrections deputy chief executive of corporate services Richard Waggott said.

Wilson has two cellphones, but no computer or Internet access.

'The costs involved in Mr Wilson's management are an investment in public safety.'

Wilson's days are closely scrutinised. He is tightly guarded but has been known to leave his cottage on Whanganui Prison grounds to fish at the mouth of the Whanganui River.

In 1996 the serial rapist was jailed for 21 years for an appalling litany of crimes involving at least 42 women and girls.

Among the charges were rape, stupefying, bestiality, ill treatment of children and indecent assault, including revelations he made his daughter eat from a bowl with cats. He also forced his de facto partner to have sex with other women and the family dog.

Since he was released from Rolleston Prison in 2012 he has spent two of those years back behind bars after phoning a woman he had been warned not to contact.

In 2016, Corrections shelved plans to have someone personally track his every move for up to 24-hours a day, saying he was well behaved enough under what were already strict conditions

Last year Wilson confirmed he was facing fresh investigations for two offences: one in Auckland 38 years ago and one in Hamilton 42 years ago, both of which he has denied committing.

His prison ground cottage is in Whanganui because it one of few places in the country where he had no victims.

Aside from escorted trips off prison grounds, he lives in relative isolation, sticking to a timetable laid down by probation.

Waggott said public safety was Corrections' primary priority and while the department was conscious of the need to be prudent with taxpayer money, the 'significant costs' of Wilson's ongoing supervision were down to his ESO conditions being 'among the most stringent ever placed upon an offender released from prison'.

In the three years since Wilson's parole ended and he began living on prison grounds, he has been subject to strict monitoring conditions and is tracked with a GPS ankle bracelet when he leaves the cottage.

He is not allowed to leave Whanganui without his probation officer's permission but he has been complying with the conditions of his ESO and is taking part in a reintegration programme.

Wilson pays for his own clothes. Maintenance, upkeep and repairs to the cottage he lives in are absorbed within the wider prison budget.

Wilson's extended supervision order lasts until March 2026, by which time he will be in his late-70s, but Corrections can apply to renew it.

Sensible Sentencing Trust national victim advocate Leigh Woodman said the cost of keeping Wilson on prison grounds was not a huge issue for the trust.

'The issue for us is ensuring the safety of prospective victims from this evil man. He is not called the Beast of Blenheim for no reason.'

An ESO was only imposed on the highest risk offenders, and Corrections needed to do their utmost to keep the community safe from dangerous recidivist offenders, Woodman said.

'I'm sure his victims would agree. Safety of the community must be paramount at all times.'