New Zealand Parole Board -

Barrie James SKINNER - 25/01/2018

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Barrie James SKINNER

Hearing: 25 January 2018

at Rimutaka Prison

Members of the Board:

• Mr J Thomson – Panel Convenor
• Mr D Hauraki
• Mr M Quigg

Counsel: Mr M Bott

Support Persons:

• [withheld]
• [withheld]
• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Barrie James Skinner at the age of 57 has made a further appearance before the Board on his sentence of eight years six months’ imprisonment.  The sentence was imposed on 17 August 2012 and Mr Skinner became eligible for parole on 22 May 2015.  The sentence ends in a little under three years’ time on 19 January 2021.

2. Mr Skinner was convicted on 80 counts of dishonestly using a document to obtain pecuniary advantage, seven counts of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice and five counts of knowingly providing false information to Inland Revenue.  The convictions were entered after a Judge-alone trial.

3. The static risk score is 0.192.  Mr Skinner has no previous convictions of any kind.

4. The last appearance before the Board for Mr Skinner was on 26 April 2017.  The Board noted that he had completed the short motivational programme and had very recently completed the short rehabilitation programme.  However, the Board was very much concerned that Mr Skinner did not fully accept responsibility for his offending.  He appeared to cling to the view that there was nothing fundamentally wrong in the scheme that he had implemented.  The Board was also concerned that he appeared to minimise his role in the offending.

5. At the hearing today Mr Skinner was represented by counsel Mr Bott.  Mr Bott drew the Board’s attention to the provisions of section 7 of the Act.  He indicated that his client had fully addressed his risks and had completed rehabilitative programmes.  Mr Bott also stated that his client had undertaken release to work without incident and that release conditions would be effective in mitigating any risk.

6. Since his last appearance before the Board Mr Skinner worked for a time at [withheld]. Then in September last year he began release to work at [withheld].  He is currently on nightshift.  He is currently being held in self-care and continues to have a minimum security classification.  Mr Skinner’s attitude to his offending was discussed with him at today’s hearing.  He acknowledged that he had committed the offences and did not seek to minimise his involvement in them.

7. If released Mr Skinner proposes to live with [withheld].  [withheld] continues to remain supportive of him.  The probation officer has checked the address and describes it as a suitable option for release on parole.

8. Previously Mr Skinner proposed that he would work as a project manager for a building project [withheld].  The Board in April last year had significant concerns about this.  Today Mr Skinner told us that he will retain his employment with [withheld] on release.  This appears to the Board to be a much more realistic and sensible option.

9. At the age of 57, Mr Skinner has no previous convictions.  He was involved in a scheme to defraud.  However, it appears to the Board that if his employment is monitored closely he would not be in a position to commit such offences again.

10. The Board has reached the view that if released on special conditions strictly managing his employment Mr Skinner would pose no undue risk to the safety of the community.  Accordingly, his release is directed for [withheld].  The special and standard conditions will remain in force until the statutory release date.

11. The special conditions are;

(1) To attend and complete appropriate brief interventions to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer. Details of the appropriate brief interventions to be determined by your Probation Officer.

(2) To attend participate and adhere to the rules of maintenance group to the satisfaction of the Probation Officer.

(3) To reside at [withheld] and not to move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(4) To obtain the written permission of your Probation Officer prior to starting, terminating, or changing your position or place of employment, both paid and voluntary.

(5) Not to be involved in the handling or management of the money, or the financial accounts or transactions, of any other person, organisation, or business, without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(6) Not to give financial or business advice to any other person without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(7) Not to engage in any employment or have any role in the affairs of any business, trust, company or voluntary organisation without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(8) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.