THE KISSEL CASE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 268, 8 August 1929, Page 13

THE KISSEL CASE

DETENTION IN REFORMATORY “RELEASE DANGEROUS”

“This is one of the most difficult cases I have ever had to dealt with. I don’t despair of this young man, but I am quite satisfied, from the special reports on him, that it is not in the interests of society or his own that te should be released just now.” These remarks were made by the Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford) in the House of Representatives yesterday, in reply to a question by Mr. E. J. Howaid (Christchurch South), as to why Maxwell Kissel was confined at Waikeria. “seeing that he had never been convicted by any Court of law.”

The facts of the case, said the Minister, were that Kissel, having killed a man and having been acquitted on the ground of insanity, was confined to the Waikeria Reformatory in his own interest, and for the safety of society. He was confined there during t|ie pleasure of the Minister of Justice.

“Unfortunately,” said Mr. Wilford, “the responsibility rests upon me as to whether he should be detained or not. I do not shirk my responsibilities, but at the same time I would like to point out that the Kissel case is one of the most difficult cases I have ever had anything to do with. The medical officers at Waikeria have been studying the case especially on my behalf, and they say it would be dangerous to release Kissel. I asked the Prisons P>oard to investigate the case, and they did so, recommending that for the protection of society ho should be detained. The Waikeria Reformatory was recommended as the most suitable institution.” The Minister added that he did not think Kissel’s case was a hopeless one, but he was not prepared to release him at the present time. It was not a fact, as had been alleged, that his relatives had been point-blank refused any information concerning him. It was not the practice to supply relatives with confidential medical reports regarding inmates.