New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Michael William HOGAN

Hearing: 16 July 2019

at Rolleston Prison

Members of the Board:

• Judge A Neil MacLean (Panel Convenor)
• Ms F Pimm
• Ms P Rose

Support Persons:

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

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Michael William Hogan is before the Board for the first time at age 57 on a sentence of nine years three months for historic sexual offending against a boy.  The sentence commenced on 14 December 2016 and he became eligible for parole today, 16 July.  His statutory release date is quite some time off, namely 12 September 2025.
2. As noted earlier, the offending is historic and it is his only criminal offence.
3. The offending occurred when he was a school teacher and became involved in a relationship over some years with a boy then aged between 13 and 18.  Mr Hogan was in his late twenties.
4. The Judge’s sentencing notes describe in graphic detail the nature of the offending over a sustained period of time.
5. Aside from that, Mr Hogan has otherwise been a model citizen and has been a teacher and headmaster over many decades.
6. He is highly thought of in his profession and that is evidenced by the very substantial degree of written submissions the Board has received in support and also by the attendance today of [withheld] who is prepared to provide accommodation for him and [withheld].
7. Mr Hogan has completed the identified rehabilitative programme for him, namely the Short Intervention Programme for child sex offenders (CSO-SIP).  The psychological report we have assesses him now at low risk with no further treatment needs identified.
8. As far as behaviour in prison is concerned, the Principal Corrections Officer today indicated that he has been a model prisoner and works in the garden.
9. Mr Hogan has made use of his time in prison by undertaking some further higher education courses including Greek theatre and also accountancy.  The latter is with a view to possible employment in that area on release.  He accepts that he will never be able to go back into the educational area, nor into any position where he has a degree of trust or responsibility for young people.
10. Mr Hogan tells us that he has come to a realisation that he [withheld].  He said that his time in prison has really opened his eyes to the impact of his offending and the very high degree of loving and meaningful support that he has from both the people in attendance today and a wider range of friends and associates.
11. We canvassed briefly with him his views on what he did to his victim.  He explained that he is now deeply ashamed at what he did.  He did offer to participate in restorative justice at or around the time of sentencing but understands completely why his victim did not want to participate in that.  It seems, from what he has heard, that his victim has got on with his life.
12. [withheld] told us that he had no idea about the set up between Mr Hogan and his victim.
13. It seems that Mr Hogan has, on a one-on-one basis, disclosed to his three supporters today his safety plan and identification of high-risk areas.
14. One of the recommendations in the parole assessment report, if he is released, is that there be a reintegration hui.
15. Looking back at the whole situation and the fact that this offending is historic and there appears to have been no further offending since; also his is a genuine remorse and shame and a realistic proposal, we are satisfied that parole can be entertained now.
16. We think some of the recommended conditions are unnecessarily onerous but some others need to be modified.
17. In particular, we do not see the need for electronic monitoring.  He spoke to us briefly about the impact of a curfew.  In our view there does need to be a short curfew for three months from the time of his release, simply to ease his transition back into the community.  That may present some inconveniences but it is a small price to pay.
18. Accordingly, he will be released on 5 August [2019] on the standard and following special conditions, to run for two years from 5 August:

    (1) If directed, to attend a psychological assessment and attend, participate in and complete any recommended treatment as directed by a Probation Officer.

    (2) Within 1 month of your release to attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a Probation Officer.

    (3) To reside at [withheld], Christchurch and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (4) For the first 3 months of your release to be at your approved address between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am daily unless you have the prior written approval of a probation officer.

    (5) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any victim of your offending, [including previous offending] directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (6) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with a person under the age of 16 years, directly or indirectly unless you have the prior written approval of a probation officer, or unless you are under the supervision and in the presence of an adult approved in writing by a probation officer.