New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Jaclyn KEATES

Hearing: 2 August 2018

at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility

via AVL from Christchurch Women’s Prison

Members of the Board:

• Mr N Trendle (Panel Convenor)
• Ms F Pimm
• Mr C King

Counsel:

• Mr P Heaslip

Support Persons:

• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Jaclyn Keates is serving a sentence of three years two months imprisonment following her conviction on charges of kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure and assault with a weapon.  She has 12 months remaining on that sentence with a statutory release date of 16 August 2019.
2. Ms Keates has a limited history of offending, although she has served a previous term of imprisonment for involvement in methamphetamine offending.  Whilst subject to this sentence she has completed the Drug Treatment Programme (DTP) and is due to graduate next week following completion of the Kowhiritanga programme.  She has also completed a domestic violence programme and a Seasons for Growth counselling programme.
3. Since she was last before the Board Ms Keates’ security classification has reduced to minimum.  She is in the self‑care units and doing well.  She was recently appointed as a shopper for others in the unit.  The parole assessment report records her commitment to changing her lifestyle when she leaves prison and in particular her abstinence from substances.
4. Counsel, Mr Heaslip, appeared and whilst he did not make submissions directly in support of Ms Keates’ release on parole, he assisted the Board with background information as he was her counsel at sentencing.
5. Ms Keates pleaded guilty to the charges she faced, in what was truly horrific offending so far as her victim was concerned.  To her credit, she gave assistance to the authorities with respect to events that involved her interaction with the victim and made good on her commitment to give evidence.
6. Upon release Ms Keates is proposing to live with [withheld]. [withheld] attended the hearing and outlined her support for Ms Keates upon release.
7. Ms Keates was able to outline to the Board the details of the lifestyle she was leading at the time of her offending and indeed her prior drug-related offending.  She was able to articulate the ways in which she will change her lifestyle for the future.  We note she will have solid support when she returns to the community.
8. Having regard to that support, and to the progress that Ms Keates has made through completing rehabilitation activities in prison, the Board is satisfied that her risk to the safety of the community can be managed for the balance of her sentence by way of parole conditions.  Accordingly, we direct her release on parole on [withheld] September 2018.
9. Thereafter, for a period expiring six months after her statutory release date, she will be subject to standard conditions and the special conditions set out below.  We are of the view that those conditions should remain in force for the maximum period to meet victim concerns and to facilitate Ms Keates’ reintegration.
10. We note Ms Keates has already engaged with her probation officer with respect to drug and alcohol follow‑up counselling in the community.  The Board regards this as important.
11. We have set her release date some weeks hence to allow time for a reintegration meeting to occur.  Accordingly, we invite Ms Keates’ case manager to facilitate a meeting with her support network, including her probation officer.  Ms Keates will present her safety and relapse prevention plans so that her supporters are fully aware of her high-risk situations and the warning signs should Ms Keates struggle on parole, together with her strategies for ensuring that she keeps herself and the community safe.
12. Ms Keates will be subject to a curfew for the first three months following her release and to a condition that she not use, possess or consume controlled drugs, alcohol and psychoactive substances.  She will accordingly be subject to the statutory drug and alcohol testing regime and may be required by a probation officer or a police officer at any time to submit to drug and alcohol testing or monitoring.
13. Release accordingly.  Special conditions as follows:

    (1) To attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of a Departmental maintenance group to the satisfaction of a Probation Officer.

    (2) Undertake alcohol and other drug assessment and complete any recommended counselling or treatment for abuse of alcohol and other drugs, to the satisfaction of a Probation Officer.

    (3) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

    (4) Undertake and complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer, to the satisfaction of the Probation Officer.

    (5) To reside at [withheld] or at an address approved by a Probation Officer, and not move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (6) For 3 months from the date of release, not to be away from your approved address between the hours of 10pm and 6am daily, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (7) Not to enter the Auckland area as defined in writing by the Probation Officer unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (8) Not to have contact or otherwise associate with the victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.

    (9) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders, or any other person identified in writing by a Probation Officer, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.