New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Nigel Colin EDGECOMBE

Hearing: 11 November 2020

at Rimutaka Prison

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

Mr S Perry

Ms W Taumaunu

Ass. Prof. K Quince – Observing

Counsel:                                           Ms P Strachan

Support Persons: (withheld)

In Attendance:                                  (withheld) – Principal Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Nigel Edgecombe (53) appears for consideration of parole on a two-year nine-month sentence for 55 convictions in total relating to intimate video recordings and making/publication of objectionable material.
2. Mr Edgecombe has a sentence end date of 18 March 2022.  There is approximately one year three months left on his sentence.
3. The parole assessment report refers to a psychological report dated 7 July 2020, which recommends individual work with a psychologist.  There are also comments that Mr Edgecombe is likely to require longer term intervention.  Mr Edgecombe’s readiness to engage in treatment, while acknowledging his responsivity issues, is noted.
4. The report also advises that Mr Edgecombe has been working with a counsellor (withheld).  (withheld) has provided a brief report dated 3 November 2020.  Unfortunately, there are pages missing from the copy provided to the Board.  In any event, it appears that (withheld) agrees that treatment is required but is of the view that the treatment could be provided in the community.
5. With Mr Edgecombe’s consent, his case manager provided a copy of the 7 July 2020 psychological assessment to the Board.  The matter was stood down to give the Board time to read it.
6. Overall, Mr Edgecombe is assessed at moderate risk of sexual re-offending.  The recommendation, also noted in the parole assessment report, is for individual intervention with a departmental psychologist.
7. The Board notes that the Judge's sentencing notes also refer to a Psychiatric Report dated 14 June 2019.  The sentencing notes record the following comments:

“… I now have the psychiatric report of 14 June and some conclusions have been reached in that report.  I will just refer to those briefly.  It says in the conclusions that you require treatment to help you recognise what triggers this in you and give you some skills to engage in the future in intimate relationships in an appropriate way.  The recommendations include that you attend a sex offender treatment programme.  The report and other information particularly what you have said to the probation officer and indeed the psychiatrist, indicate that your voyeurism, that is your arousal through watching women, particularly naked and in the bathroom has become your principal way of sexual gratification.  It is also clear from the information that I have that this did not start in 2013.  This was something that had started before and was a long-standing practice with the crimes that I am involved with and sentencing starting 2013.  This obviously is a deep-seated issue which will require some considerable treatment and help, but at least you have started that process and I was to give you some credit for that …”

8. The information above lends itself toward the need for Mr Edgecombe to engage in treatment with a suitably qualified psychologist.
9. Counsel made submissions in support of release on parole.  Submissions were made about the approval of an address and whether electronic monitoring was required.  The need for treatment was acknowledged by counsel, however, it was submitted that (withheld) is the best option.  The detail of what is proposed has not been provided.
10. Counsel have asked that as part of our decision, the Board note her view that the address is appropriate, and that Corrections is asked to reassess whether electronic monitoring is feasible.  Counsel also took issue with the fact that the Board did not have a copy of the psychological report.
11. The Board do not see the late receipt (from the case manager) of the report as an issue.  The Board had an opportunity to read the report before engaging with Mr Edgecombe.  In addition, the parole assessment report comments on the recommendations made.  The final point that Counsel made is that the work with counsellor (withheld) should not be discounted.
12. For his part, Mr Edgecombe acknowledged that he needs treatment.  If he is in prison he prefers to engage in one-to-one work with a psychologist.  If he is released to the community it is his preference to engage in the (withheld) group programme.
13. Mr Edgecombe did talk briefly about his engagement with (withheld) including discussion of his offending pathway, however, we note that there is little detail in (withheld) report of the treatment provided including any gains made.
14. The Board have considered Mr Edgecombe's offending, the judge's sentencing notes including reference to the psychiatrist’s comments, the psychological report, (withheld) partial report, the parole assessment report, the discussions today and the release proposal.  Taking all those matters into account the Board are not satisfied that Mr Edgecombe no longer poses an undue risk and parole is declined.
15. Mr Edgecombe will be seen for further consideration of parole in May 2021 and no later than 30 May 2021.
16. In the meantime, the Board supports Mr Edgecombe being offered the one-to-one work with a psychologist as recommended in the psychological assessment dated 7 July 2020.  If Mr Edgecombe decides to engage a private psychologist, then he will need to ensure that the psychologist has all the reports and information necessary to provide appropriate treatment.
17. With regard to Mr Edgecombe’s release proposal and the need for electronic monitoring, that is an issue for the next Board.