Rape Crisis has commended the Parole Board for applying the "most stringent conditions possible" on convicted sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson when he is released next month.
The man dubbed "the Beast of Blenheim" for his cruel sex crimes against women, children and animals over 25 years will be released to live in a small house outside the fence of Whanganui Prison, 10km out of town.
He faces the toughest release conditions of any prisoner ever released in New Zealand history - including GPS tracking - as experts believe the unrepentant 65-year-old will reoffend.
Rape Crisis spokeswoman Dr Kim McGregor has commended the Parole Board on applying these conditions, but adds: "I hope these conditions will be sufficient to make the community safe from his offending".
She is also concerned the effect his release will have on his victims and other victims of rape and sexual violence as his release may remind them of their experiences.
A public "Banish the Beast" protest meeting will be held in Whanganui on Sunday, organised by local councillors concerned about community safety.
Whanganui mayor Annette Main earlier told NZ Newswire that while not happy with the move, she was impressed by the work the Corrections Department had put into the problem.
Wilson would essentially still be in prison and it appeared highly unlikely he could offend with the conditions imposed on him.
It was unfortunate that Whanganui fitted the criteria to house Wilson - none of his 33 victims live in the area - and if he was not in Whanganui he would have to go to another community, Ms Main said.
NZN