New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Colin David BOUWER

Hearing: 23 August 2016  at New Zealand Parole Board, Head Office AVL with [Withheld]

Members of the Board:

• Hon. MA Frater – Panel Convenor
• Judge D Mather
• Assoc. Prof. P Brinded
• Dr. S Davis

Counsel:

• [Withheld]

In attendance:

• [Withheld]

Supporters:

• [Withheld]
• [Withheld]
• [Withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Colin David Bouwer is serving a life sentence of imprisonment, with a minimum non parole period of 15 years, imposed after he was found guilty of the murder of his wife, 16 years ago.

2. The Board which he appeared before in September last year, shortly before his parole eligibility date, was concerned about the many untruths that Mr Bouwer told – in relation to the cause of his wife’s death and his part in it, and his own health and other matters.  Given that, they endorsed the recommendation by the writer of the psychological assessment report that he engage in brief individual psychological treatment and work on his release plan.

3. In the intervening period, Mr Bouwer has retained a low/medium security classification. He is unable to reduce this further, because he is subject to a deportation order.

4. Because he has suffered significant health issues during the past year, which have required periods of hospitalisation and ongoing treatment, Mr Bouwer has instructed his counsel to apply to the Minister under Section 172 of the Immigration Act 2009 to cancel his liability for deportation. Until that matter is resolved, and pending further medical treatment, he did not seek parole.

5. We also note that, although he is on the waitlist for psychological treatment, because of other priorities, it has not yet been made available to him.

6. There is no question of parole today.  It is declined.  Mr Bouwer’s next hearing will be during the week beginning 4 September 2017 and, in any event, must be held before the end of that month.

7. Of course, if his situation changes, it is always open for him to apply under Section 26 of the Parole Act 2002 to be seen earlier.

8. Updated reports are required from his treating clinicians for the next hearing.  They should detail the medical conditions he is being treated for, the treatment received, any further anticipated treatment and the likely prognosis.

9. We will also require an updated psychological report.  If he has completed further psychological treatment, in that time, this should be covered.

10. Finally, we require further detail about his release plan, particularly if he is still to be deported to South Africa, as the accommodation and employment proposed previously is no longer available.

Hon. MA Frater
Panel Convenor