New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Stephen Michael SHONE

Hearing: 11 January 2016

at [withheld] via AVL to New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board:

• Ms S Pakura (Acting Panel Convenor)
• Mr P Elenio
• Mr R Crotty

Counsel:

• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Stephen Michael Shone, 37, appears for further consideration of parole on his sentence of seven and a half years for unlawful sexual connection and other sexual offending against young females aged 13 to 15 years, over a period between 2003 and 2007.

2. The prison classification is low/medium.  The Roc*RoI is 0.27756.  Mr Shone is nearing the end of his sentence.  The sentence expiry date is 10 February 2016.  There is no other recorded criminal history.

3. Mr Shone remains an untreated sex offender.  Information regarding the lack of rehabilitation treatment and other aspects of the sentence are well documented in previous parole decisions.

4. The Board discussed the development of a safety plan with Mr Shone.  Mr Shone has expressed confidence in his ability to remain offence free.  He told the Board that he has a firm view of what is important in his life and that his catholic faith will support him in problem solving and decision making.

5. On 6 October 2015 a [withheld] meeting with [withheld] was facilitated by the case management team.  The reintegration plan was discussed.  Both the inmate and Mr Shone expressed their commitment to abiding by the release conditions.  A subsequent meeting was planned for the probation officer closer to the time of Mr Stephen Shone’s release.

6. The release plan for Mr Shone has him being accommodated with his [Wiithheld].   There are concerns expressed by Community Probation that on release Mr Shone will be able to freely come and go in the evenings.  This matter was discussed with Mr Shone.  Mr Shone was clear that he would comply with his conditions and he was aware that there will be a special condition of a curfew that he will need to ensure he complies with.

7. Mr Shone was represented today by [Wiithheld].  [Withheld] told the Board that [Wiithheld].  That he has noticed a change in Mr Shone’s behaviour and attitude.  And that he believes that Mr Shone’s entrenched beliefs in the Catholic faith has been a catalyst for that change.

8. The Board has considered [Wiithheld]’s submissions and Mr Shone’s very carefully.  Having turned our minds to the issue of risks, we are satisfied that in all the circumstances Mr Shone has met the test that he is no longer an undue risk to the safety of the community.

9. Accordingly we direct Mr Shone’s release on 26 January 2016.  Mr Shone will be on standard and special conditions set out below.  The standard conditions of the parole, are set out in section 14 of the Parole Act 2002, and the following special conditions will remain in force for a period expiring six months past his statutory release date.

10. The special conditions are as follows:
(1) Attend for a psychological assessment. Attend and complete any treatment/counselling/programmes as recommended by the psychological assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and treatment provider.
(2) To reside at [Wiithheld] and not to move from that address without the prior written approval of your Probation Officer.
(3) To abide by a curfew to be present at your approved residential address between the hours of 8pm and 5am, Monday to Sunday inclusive.
(4) To obtain the written approval of the Probation Officer prior to starting, terminating or changing your position or place of employment, including voluntary or unpaid work and to obtain the written approval of the Probation Officer prior to engaging in any teaching or tutoring positions.
(5) Not to associate or otherwise have contact with any person under 16 years of age unless under the direct supervision of an informed adult who has been approved by the Probation Officer. An informed adult is a person over the age of 20 years who is fully aware of your previous offending and high risk situations, and in the opinion of the Probation Officer will not support or collude with any further offending.
(6) 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.
(7) Not to enter or remain on the grounds of any school, kindergarten, park or any other places children frequent, unless you have the prior written approval of your Probation Officer.
(8) Not to communicate [withheld] your offending or your victims via any means, including through the use of the internet, without the prior written approval of the Probation Officer.
(9) Upon release from prison, travel directly to your approved release address and await the arrival of a Probation Officer and Security Officer.
(10) To comply with the requirements of electronic monitoring, and provide access to the approved residence to the Probation Officer and representatives of the monitoring company, for the purpose of maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment as directed by the Probation Officer.
(11) To submit to electronic monitoring in the form of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology as directed by a Probation Officer in order to monitor your compliance with any condition(s) relating to your whereabouts and, when issued a mobile cell phone device by the Department, to carry and keep it charged and turned on at all times and to answer it for the purpose of communications with the Probation Officer.

Ms S Pakura
Acting Panel Convenor