New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Tony Daniel ADAMSON

Hearing: 8 March 2018

at Auckland Prison

Members of the Board:

• Hon. M A Frater (Panel Convenor)
• Ms S Pakura
• Dr J Skipworth

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Tony Daniel Adamson, aged 30, was scheduled to be seen today in connection with parole.  In the event, he declined to appear.  He also declined to sign a waiver.
2. This is consistent with his recent interactions with the psychologist and the writer of the Parole Assessment Report.  He declined to engage with either.
3. Mr Adamson is serving a very long sentence of imprisonment, made up of cumulative sentences dating back to 29 August 2007, when the first was imposed.  His parole eligibility date is 21 March next and his statutory release date is 29 August 2025.
4. On 29 June 2007, he was sentenced to four years imprisonment for kidnapping plus 12 years for rape.  He was also sentenced to concurrent terms for aggravated robbery, unlawful sexual connection (x2), aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.  He was 19 at the time of this offending.  There were two female victims.
5. Then he offended on four separate occasions in custody: 26 January 2011, aggravated assault against a Prison Officer, for which he received six months cumulative; 28 June and 5 July 2011, damage to property (x2) – four months, cumulative; plus two years and two months imprisonment for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on 15 November 2015.
6. Mr Adamson’s history of offending starts in the Youth Court in 2003 when he was aged 15.  He was first imprisoned in 2004.  This is his first long sentence of imprisonment.
7. His RoC*RoI score of 0.83936 reflects this criminal history.
8. Our notes record that Mr Adamson has incurred over 120 misconducts during this sentence.  He engaged with a psychologist in 2012 but so far has not participated in any of the treatment programmes he is waitlisted for. He is said to be unmotivated to change. He is recorded as holding White Power allegiances and having little or no community support.
9. Based on the papers, he is assessed as posing a very high risk of violent or general re-offending and a medium to high risk of sexual re-offending.
10. Mr Adamson has over seven years remaining on his sentence.  How he uses that time is up to him.  There is no question of parole today. It is declined. Without treatment and evidence of change his risk to the safety of the community continues to be undue.
11. Mr Adamson’s next hearing will be in a little under two years time. It must be held before 8 March 2020.
12. We give him notice that, as well as parole, the possibility of making a postponement order against him will be considered at the next hearing. That order can be for up to five years’ duration. Mr Adamson has the right to seek legal advice in respect of that matter and to have a lawyer represent him and make submissions, both in writing and orally at the hearing.
13. An updated Psychological Assessment Report is required for the next hearing.  The Board would also benefit from receiving a report from the Department, recording what Mr Adamson’s total sentence is and how it is made up.