New Zealand Parole Board -

 

Parole hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

 

Jerome Rahiri FOLIMATAMA

 

Hearing: 21 January 2016 At [Withheld] 

Members of the Board: 
      Judge L Bidios (Panel Convenor)
      Mr A Shaw
      Dr S Davis

Support People: 
      [Withheld]
      [Withheld]
      [Withheld]

 

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Jerome Folimatama is for reconsideration of parole.  He is serving six years four months for attempted murder on his partner.  His SED was 13 September 2011.  His PED was 14 August 2013.  His SRD is 02 November 2017.

2. He is today supported by his [Withheld], his [Withheld] and his [Withheld]. 

3. Mr Folimatama seeks a grant of parole to his [Withheld] address in [Withheld]. 

4. Mr Folimatama came before the Board in February of last year.  It was recorded that he had an extensive cannabis use history.  He needed to do the [Withheld] and then [Withheld].  His [Withheld] address that had been proposed was not considered suitable as it was too close to the victim’s address.  Parole was declined.

5. Mr Folimatama presented this afternoon having completed the [Withheld] Programme in November.  There are four pre-release maintenance sessions to be completed and four post-release maintenance sessions. 

6. Mr Folimatama had previously completed [Withheld]. He said that the [Withheld] Programme had more depth to it than the [Withheld].  It focussed on victim empathy, choices, communication and has provided a platform to prepare a strong safety plan in future.  Mr Folimatama was hugely impressive.  He was able to articulate extremely well the things that he had learnt on the programme.  He showed insight and understanding to a level beyond any prisoner to appear before the convenor.

7. The facilitator’s report indicated that he had positive attributes, had worked diligently, expressed remorse and was determined to make personal changes in his life.  Those were all sentiments that were reinforced by [Withheld].  They remain supportive.  His [Withheld] will be a huge role model for Mr Folimatama. 

8. Mr Folimatama says that he has learnt the skills and strategies from the programmes that he has completed that will help protect him in the future.  He is a young man who has committed a serious offence and has done some serious prison time.  He has obviously done very well and his family are hugely proud of the progress that he has made.

9. Mr Folimatama regrets deeply the offending, has genuine victim empathy and thinks about the incident often.  He has taken the culturally based programme content and has put that into both his head and a safety plan to ensure that he remains safe in the future.

10. He has progressed through to Self Care.  His behaviour in prison is exemplary.

11. Given all those factors, the Board considers that he does not pose an undue risk to the community.  Parole will be granted from 29 February and there will be standard and special conditions through to sentence release date.  The special conditions are:
(1) To undertake counselling with [Withheld] Services and abide by the rules of the programme to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and programme provider.
(2) To undertake any other counselling/programmes as may be directed by and to the satisfaction of the Probation Officer.
(3) To reside at [Withheld] and not to move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(4) To notify your Probation Officer prior to starting, terminating or changing your position or place of employment.
(5) You are not to have contact or otherwise associate with the victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer
(6) Not to possess or consume alcohol or illicit drugs
(7) To remain at your approved address between the hours of 9.00pm and 5.00am for the first four (4) months from the date of release unless you have prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(8) Advise the Probation Officer upon the commencement of any intimate relationship and undertake any such relationship counselling as may be directed by the Probation Officer and to the satisfaction of the counselling provider.
(9) To attend a hearing notified to you in writing and in accordance with any directions given by the New Zealand Parole Board to enable the New Zealand Parole Board to monitor your compliance with your release conditions not later than 30 June 2016.
(10) Not to enter the South Island without prior written approval from your Probation Officer.

 

 

Judge L Bidios
Panel Convenor