Raymond Owen MEYNELL - 14/03/2016
Parole hearing
Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002
Raymond Owen MEYNELL
Hearing: 14 March 2016 at [Withheld]
Members of the Board:
Hon. JW Gendall QC – Panel Convenor
Assoc. Prof P Brinded
Mr P Elenio
Ms M Coleman
In attendance: [Withheld] (Corrections )
DECISION OF THE BOARD
1. Raymond Meynell is serving a life sentence imposed on 18 March 1999 for the murder of his partner’s 16 month old child. His conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Shortly before the events resulting in the murder, he assaulted his partner on three occasions for which he has convictions, as well as further convictions for assault with intent to injure and assault of a child.
2. His parole eligibility date was 11 February 2008. He was seen by the Board on 24 September 2015 when he was in Self Care. The Board supported reintegration activities such as Release to Work. Regrettably for Mr Meynell, there was to be a reintegration meeting, and he was approved for Release to Work, but he incurred a misconduct on 21 January 2016 for drug use which he admits and he is now IDU1. As a consequence he was removed from Self Care. The reintegration meeting was postponed and the approval for Release to Work revoked.
3. Mr Meynell has a significant setback. There is considerable work for him to undertake in order to make up the lost ground. As the recent psychological report notes, the view that he may benefit from placement in Self Care and involve himself in Release to Work. They are still re-integrative pathways that Mr Meynell hopes to achieve. The psychologist maintains the view that pathway towards reintegration is, “Optimum.”
4. Psychological counselling may help Mr Meynell make up the ground he has lost. But he cannot at present be involved in reintegration activities. He remains an undue risk to the safety of the community and it must follow that parole is declined.
5. He will be seen again the week commencing 6 February 2017.
Hon. JW Gendall QC
Panel Convenor