New Zealand Parole Board -

Hearing: 20 January 2016 at  [withheld]

Members of the Board:

    Mr N Trendle – Panel Convenor
    Mr L Tawera
    Mr B McMurray

Counsel: [withheld]

Support Person: 

    [withheld]
    [withheld]
    [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Christopher Daniel Shaw has slightly less than three years remaining on a sentence totalling nine years 11 months’ imprisonment for a raft of offending for which he was sentenced in December 2009.  He has a statutory release date of 3 January 2019.

2. This is Mr Shaw’s third time in prison.  He has in excess of 120 convictions with a substantial number of those connected with his index offending.  He has a RoC*RoI of 0.70369. 

3. Whilst subject to this sentence, Mr Shaw has completed the Drug Treatment Unit Programme and the Special Treatment Unit Rehabilitation Programme from which he graduated in April 2015.  He also completed eight sessions with the psychologist.  Mr Shaw showed commitment on both programmes and has reflected that commitment to change in his conduct and actions in prison both during and after his participation in the rehabilitation programmes identified in his sentence plan. 

4. There have been limits on the reintegration steps available to Mr Shaw.  At present his security classification is at low.  We understand that cannot be reduced to minimum without a double override.  The opportunities for Mr Shaw to take advantage of further reintegration activities are limited. 

5. Since Mr Shaw was last before the Board, he has attracted the sponsorship of RAW.  He will be the first of a number of prisoners who, it is anticipated, will form the first group of males to participate in that programme.  There is an approved address available and he will have the support provided by the RAW organisation during his reintegration into the community.  In that regard, Mr Shaw is proposing to commence studies at [withheld] to achieve a building qualification.  The support that he will have from RAW will be enduring  and for a minimum of 12 months.

6. Mr Shaw sees this as allowing him to make a fresh start in a supportive environment.  He will retain the support of [withheld] who will be living elsewhere in the North Island.  There are no victim issues and Mr Shaw will be having no contact with his co offender.

7. The Board has given considerable thought to Mr Shaw’s future.  He is a high-risk offender whose index offending included very serious violent offences.  On the other hand he has participated diligently in the rehabilitation and reintegration activities to date in prison, and there is evidence from a number of sources that he has undergone a process of significant change over the last seven years.  Having regard to that progress we have, by a majority, determined that the proposal before us is sufficient to manage his risk to the safety of the community for the balance of his sentence.  Accordingly, we direct his release on parole on [withheld] February 2016.  Mr Shaw will then be subject to standard and special conditions which, in his case, will inure for the term of his sentence. 

8. The Board at this stage is of the view that special conditions are required for an extended period given his high level of risk, the seriousness and pervasiveness of his offending, and the length of time remaining on his sentence.  For similar reasons, we are of the view that a monitoring condition is required.  Mr Shaw will be required to attend a hearing in July 2016.  For that hearing, the Board requests a report from his Probation Officer outlining his compliance with release conditions and the progress he has made on parole. 

9. Release accordingly.  Special conditions as follows:
(1) To attend an assessment for alcohol and drug treatment and complete any treatment, counselling or programme recommended by the assessment, to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer.
(2) Attend for an assessment with a Department Psychologist. Attend and complete any treatment or counselling as recommended by the assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer.
(3) To reside at an address approved by a Probation Officer and not to move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(4) To abide by the RAW/RAM incubator house rules to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer.
(5) Not to have contact or otherwise associate with the victims of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
(6) Not to have contact or otherwise associate with your co offender Stacey Estelle Snelleksz, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
(7) Not to possess or consume alcohol or illicit drugs.
(8) Not to be away from your approved address between the hours of 10pm to 6am daily without the prior approval of your Probation Officer.
(9) Not to possess a firearm.
(10) To attend a hearing in July 2016 at a date and time to be advised for the purpose of the Parole Board monitoring your compliance with your release conditions.

 

Mr N Trendle
Panel Convenor