New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Anthony Phillip HITCHCOCK

Hearing: 24 November 2020

at Rimutaka Prison

Members of the Board: Ms T Williams Blyth – Panel Convenor

Dr G Coyle

Ass. Prof. P Brinded

Mr C Borrows

Counsel:                                            Mr C Nolan

Support Persons: (withheld)

In Attendance: (Withheld) – Case Manager

(withheld) – Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Anthony Hitchcock (64) appears for consideration of parole.  He is serving concurrent sentences of preventive detention and life for serious sexual offending and murder.
2. When Mr Hitchcock appeared before the Board in 2019, the importance of reintegration was highlighted.  Mr Hitchcock was encouraged to work with his case manager to explore all possibilities.
3. For today, it appears that no progress has been made in terms of reintegration for Mr Hitchcock.  The Board are, in effect, asked to consider releasing Mr Hitchcock to (withheld).  In making that request, the Board are advised that Mr Hitchcock will not be taking part in the (withheld) programme. Release to (withheld) is for accommodation purposes only.
4. In terms of reintegration activities, Mr Hitchcock is on voluntary segregation and as a result, reintegration opportunities are limited.
5. Mr Hitchcock has had one guided release in the last 12 months.  That appears to have taken place recently and involved a visit to (withheld).  As far as we can tell, no other reintegration activities have taken place.
6. The Board have received an addendum report dated 20 November 2020.  In that report, Mr Hitchcock is assessed as medium to high risk of violent and sexual offending.  While the psychologist supports release to (withheld) the recommendation is for a series of day releases before his eventual release. The Board notes that the psychologist’s understanding of what will be available to Mr Hitchcock on release to (withheld) is different from what the Board are being told.
7. The recommended series of day releases mirrors the reintegration programme that was embarked upon around 2014.  Following a series of temporary day releases to (withheld) to attend their programme, the reintegration process stopped due to Mr Hitchcock violating the rules.
8. At the outset of today’s hearing Mr Hitchcock was advised that we had met with victims of his offending.  Mr Hitchcock acknowledged the victim’s comments.  He says he understands how they feel but he is not the same person he was 20 years ago.
9. Mr Hitchcock confirmed that he has not participated in any reintegration activities.  He appears to place responsibility for that on the prison.  He also talked about a structured plan if he is released to (withheld).  We do not have the details of any plan.
10. In discussions, Mr Hitchcock confirmed that he has not had any further offence-focussed treatment since being exited from the Kia Marama graduate’s group in 2015.  He has engaged in ACC counselling for the last two years.
11. The Board notes that despite Mr Hitchcock engaging in approximately 338 individual sessions with a psychologist between 2000-2015 and partially completing the Kia Marama programme in 1996, there were still issues that resulted in him being exited from the Kia Marama graduates group in 2015.
12. In terms of the plan going forward, Mr Hitchcock is relying on a plan yet to be developed with (withheld).  That plan also involves him having supervised access with his (withheld).
13. Mr Hitchcock stated that he knows what is asked of him, he has to live with his crime and knows that parole is not a right.  He just wants to live the rest of his life in peace.  He will work around the issues regarding his (withheld) and his (withheld).
14. The Board have considered Mr Hitchcock’s offending, the treatment received to 2015, the psychological report and other information before the Board including his release proposal.
15. We are not satisfied that Mr Hitchcock no longer poses an undue risk and parole is declined.  Mr Hitchcock will be seen for further consideration of parole in November 2021, no later than 30 November 2021.
16. In the meantime, the Board refers to the comments made in the psychological report dated November 2019, together with the recent addendum report and asks psychological services to consider providing Mr Hitchcock with further offence-focused treatment particularly in light of the fact that he has not had any follow-up treatment since being exited from the Kia Marama graduates group in 2015.
17. When the matter is next before the Board, it would assist the Board to see that Mr Hitchcock has embarked on a clear reintegrative pathway, working on transitioning him from prison towards his release.  A strong safety plan, which includes details of how his contact with his (withheld) and (withheld) is to be safely managed will also assist the Board.