New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole hearing Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

 

Jordan Lee HYDE

Hearing: 21 January 2016 at  [Withheld]

Members of the Board: 
      Mr N Trendle – Panel Convenor
      Mr L Tawera
      Mr B McMurray
 
Counsel: [Withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Jordan Lee Hyde is making a further appearance before the Board on his sentence of four years eight months’ imprisonment for manslaughter, unlawfully taking a vehicle and other offending.  His statutory release date is eight months away on 16 October 2016. 

2. Since Mr Hyde last appeared before the Board, he has continued to work with the Forensic Team at [Withheld] and to engage with the psychologist in developing a relapse prevention plan.  His PCO who accompanied him to the Board today told us he had been working in the canteen with the distribution of stores to other prisoners, but relinquished that in order to begin a horticulture course which unfortunately was discontinued.  Should that programme be reinstated, Mr Hyde is keen to continue with it. 

3. [Withheld] appeared as counsel for Mr Hyde.  She advised the Board that since the date of the last psychiatric report dated 2 December 2015, there has been a meeting with Mr Hyde, Community Corrections and [Withheld] to further the referral process for Mr Hyde’s supported accommodation when he leaves prison. 

4. Initially, the option of [Withheld] accommodation was referred to but declined by Mr Hyde, quite properly, on the basis that it would involve his accommodation in [Withheld] and that is an area that he accepts that he should not go to meet his victims’ concerns. 

5. At the commencement of the hearing, the Board briefly outlined the main points that arose from our meeting with the family of Mr Hyde’s victim.  They reiterated the point made previously as to their view that he should see out the balance of his sentence in prison; that he had yet to complete the rehabilitation that they expected him to undertake whilst in prison; and their wish that upon release he not enter the Hutt Valley area.

6. For his part, Mr Hyde had submitted a letter to the Board saying that he was working hard to improve himself.  He conveyed an understanding of the consequences of his actions for his victim’s family.  The Board accepts that Mr Hyde’s expression of remorse is genuine and that he appears to be doing what he can to demonstrate his commitment to change.

7. So far as the way forward is concerned, the pathway is relatively clear.  [Withheld] indicated that there will be a further meeting next month to progress Mr Hyde’s referral for supported accommodation.  He remains stable on his medication and according to his PCO, is able to manage that himself.  He will continue his work with the psychologist to develop a relapse prevention plan.

8. Parole today is declined.  There is important work remaining for Mr Hyde to complete before we could be satisfied that his release would not post an undue risk to the safety of the community.  He will be scheduled to return to the Board by 30 August 2016.  Both Mr Hyde and his counsel are, however, aware that should arrangements for his supported accommodation and all the necessary referrals be completed before that date, and he has a solid release plan to put before the Board,  he may apply for an earlier hearing.

 

Mr N Trendle
Panel Convenor