So why was he given temporary release again?

Stuff reports:

As re-captured killer and paedophile Phillip Smith faces an ignominious return to jail, it can be revealed that he was convicted of defrauding the taxpayer of almost $50,000 from behind bars.

Meanwhile, it has been discovered Smith rorted the tax credit system by fraudulently claiming Working for Families credits, income tax and student loan refunds while behind bars.

Inland Revenue confirmed yesterday it successfully prosecuted Smith in July 2012 on 12 charges of obtaining by deception, involving $47,565. Smith was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay reparation of $50 a week.

It staggers me that Corrections approved him for temporary release, when he had been convicted of offending just two years ago.