Basil Steven MIST - 26/02/2018

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Basil Steven MIST

Hearing: 26 February 2018

at Whanganui Prison

Members of the Board:

  • Ms M Coleman – Panel Convenor
  • Ms G Hughes
  • Mr M Quigg

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Basil Steven Mist, who is aged 36, waived his appearance before the Board today when it further considered his release on parole on a 20 year two month sentence for the manslaughter of his partner and sexual offending against five young women.
  2. Mr Mist was aged 17 to 20 at the time of the offending.  He was sentenced in 2003.
  3. Mr Mist’s statutory release date is 6 January 2023.
  4. Mr Mist was last before the Board in July 2016.  It noted his need for rehabilitation, in particular the adapted Te Piriti Programme.  It specified referral to a psychologist to prepare Mr Mist for the adapted programme.  The Board indicated that Mr Mist should be seen again in March 2018 and asked for a psychological report for this hearing.
  5. The Board has that report dated January 2018.  It notes that Mr Mist considers that he would be better off reintegrating back into the community in a therapeutic frame of mind.  For that reason, he remains fixed on completing the identified programme for him closer to his release date.
  6. The psychologist further notes that Mr Mist was offered two opportunities for Te Piriti but has declined both for the reasons outlined above.  He remains assessed to pose a high risk of violent and sexual offending.  Following the completion of the adapted Te Piriti Programme, the psychologist recommends either a Special Treatment Unit Rehabilitation Programme (STURP) or one-to-one work with a psychologist for violence.
  7. The information the Board has is that Mr Mist is working in the nursery which keeps him active.  The quality of his work is said to be high.  Mr Mist has support from [withheld] on release.
  8. Mr Mist remains an untreated prisoner.  For that reason and in light of his very serious offending, his risk must be considered undue.  Parole is declined accordingly.
  9. Mr Mist will be seen again in January 2020 and by the end of that month at the latest.

Ms M Coleman
Panel Convenor