New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing
Under section 21 (2) of the Parole Act 2002

Tristim Lee EASTHAM

Hearing: 13 December 2016 at [Withheld]

Members of the Board:

• Ms S Pakura – Panel Convenor
• Ms W Taumaunu
• Mr S Perry

Counsel:

• [Withheld]

Support People:

• [Withheld]
• [Withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Tristim Lee Eastham, 28, appears today for further consideration of parole.  Mr Eastham is serving a sentence of imprisonment of five years 11 months for manslaughter. Mr Eastham had a minimum non-parole period of two years 11 months.

2. There is a concerning offending history which began in 2006.  Since that time Mr Eastham has accrued 16 further convictions.

3. He was supported today by [Withheld].

4. The prison security classification is minimum.  The parole eligibility date is 19 August 2015.  The sentence expiry date is 17 August 2018.  The RoC*Rol is 0.45313.

5. Mr Eastham pleaded guilty. He was sentenced on 24 October 2013.   Mr Eastham had a knife.  He stabbed his victim in the chest.

6. Since March 2016 Mr Eastham has been employed at the [Withheld].  He intends to work towards a placement in Self Care,  make an application for Release to Work and to take part in the reintegration pathway.  There have been no issues identified in respect of his behaviour and attitude in the unit.

7. There is a psychological report dated 27 October 2016. Mr Eastham’s convictions history shows a pattern of reactive and impulsive behaviour. His non-compliance of imposed community based sentences and driving restrictions indicates a level of dismissal of his need to follow the law.   Mr Eastham is assessed as posing a moderate risk of further offending.

8. The recommendations from the psychologist are that he works with his case manager to consider further development of his safety plan to incorporate strategies to manage potentially risky interpersonal situations.  Furthermore, the psychologist endorses Mr Eastham’s reintegration pathway.

9. On behalf of Mr Eastham [Withheld] submits that Mr Eastham recognises that there is more work to be done.  He is accepting that there is further work to be undertaken.  He is not seeking parole today.

10. We accept [Withheld]’s submission.  The Board is supportive of all  reintegration activities for Mr Eastham.

11. When we apply the test set out in section 7 and 28 of the Parole Act 2002, it is clear that Mr Eastham continues to present an undue risk to the safety of the community.

12. Accordingly, parole must be declined.  The risk remains undue.  Mr Eastham will be seen again in November 2017, or at the very latest at the end of that month.

Ms S Pakura
Panel Convenor