New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Dennis John BATCHELOR

Hearing: 16 October 2018

At Rolleston Prison

Members of the Board:

• Mr J Thomson – Panel Convenor
• Mr G Crowley
• Ms P Rose

In attendance:

• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Dennis John Batchelor, 79, has made an appearance before the Board for the consideration of release on parole.  Mr Batchelor was first sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on 1 November 2012 for multiple offences of possessing objectionable publications and making or copying objectionable publications.
2. Subsequent to that, on 30 May 2013, a further term of 11 years was imposed for a number of sexual offences committed against girls under 12 and also aged 12 to 16.  This included the offence of rape of a female aged 12 to 16.
3. In the offending relating to objectionable publications, Mr Batchelor created an online persona where he purported to be a teenage girl.  He admitted to having set up a Facebook page and having collected images featuring young girls.  He had made contact with a man in the USA who shared his interests.
4. The Board does not have the sentencing remarks with regard to the matters which were disposed of on 30 May 2013.  Neither does it have summaries of facts.  However, from the psychologist’s report which has been provided, these offences were committed against [withheld].
5. Mr Batchelor has a low RoC*RoI score of 0.038.  He has served one previous term of imprisonment and all previous convictions are for sexual offences against young girls.
6. The Board has a psychologist’s report dated 20 August 2018.  Mr Batchelor was polite and co-operative but perhaps overly positive and there were elements of impression management.  He showed little insight into his offending.  The psychologist notes that
   Mr Batchelor began the Stop programme after his internet offending was detected.  During that programme, he struggled to understand the key concepts and made limited progress.  When he was interviewed he was unable to recall any content from the programme.
7. Overall the psychologist assesses Mr Batchelor as being at high risk of sexual offending.  The report notes that Mr Batchelor is realistic that release is not a viable prospect until he has completed the Child Sex Offender Treatment Programme at Kia Marama.  The psychologist recommends that Mr Batchelor undertake the programme at Kia Marama and Mr Batchelor has very recently begun this.
8. Mr Batchelor has been assessed as being at high risk of further offending.  Until he has completed appropriate offence-specific treatment, he cannot be assessed as anything other than an undue risk to the safety of the community.
9. Parole is declined.  Mr Batchelor will be scheduled to be seen again by the Board in October next year and not later than 31 October 2019.
10. For that hearing a psychologist’s report is requested.  It is suggested that the psychologists address Mr Batchelor’s progress on the treatment programme at
    Kia Marama, his level of risk post treatment, what if any further work is required, either in prison or the community and an assessment of his proposal for release.