Paul Joseph Dally, the man convicted of raping and murdering 13-year-old Karla Cardno in 1989, has been denied parole once again. The decision was made by the parole board due to concerns about the level of support available to Dally for his reintegration into society.
Despite efforts to prepare him for release, including his stay in a self-care unit at Auckland South Corrections Facility, Dally was deemed unready for parole during his appearance before the board in June 2024.
Now in his mid 60s, Dally faces a world vastly different from the one he knew at the time of his imprisonment. His lawyer, Emma Priest, acknowledged that Dally is almost ready for release but still relies heavily on support from his case manager.
Although Dally has been engaging with a senior psychologist to address his risks and coping strategies, the parole board cited issues with his accommodation as a major obstacle to his release.
The board expressed doubts about the availability of the necessary support and oversight for Dally’s reintegration into the community. As a result, his parole was denied once again, with a possibility of reconsideration in six months.
By October 31st, Dally is expected to have completed his work with the psychologist and his case manager to develop a more viable release plan.
