Robert Conchie HARRIS 31/8/2020

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Robert Conchie HARRIS

Hearing: 31 August 2020

at Northland Regional Corrections Facility

via AVL to New Zealand Parole Board Offices

Members of the Board: Sir Ron Young (Chairperson), Associate Professor P Brinded, Dr Greg Coyle, Mr B McMurray

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Mr Harris who is 71 years of age, has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1983.  Subsequently he has been convicted of some 23 offences during various releases and as well more recently, eight charges of perjury arising from events that occurred in 1993.
  2. We last saw him in August 2017 some three years ago.  Mr Harris had been released and recalled on two occasions.  He had undertaken Child Sex Offender Treatment Programme on two occasions.
  3. The psychological report notes that in its view Mr Harris is unlikely to make any gains in individual or group treatment.  He reoffends quickly when released and the psychological report notes that management of his risk cannot rely upon self-control because Mr Harris has illustrated a lack of such control.  He is assessed at high risk of a broad range of reoffending including violence and sexual offending.
  4. Mr Harris' conduct has been variable, sometimes confrontational but generally his PCO said he had behaved relatively well.
  5. Mr Harris' idea today was that he could work toward release over a period of time, having Guided Releases and day releases.  Our view is that Mr Harris is not at the reintegrative stage but still at the rehabilitative stage of his sentence.
  6. The psychological report suggested that his case would be referred to the psychological services manager for CSO.  We encourage that.   Equally we have suggested to Mr Harris that he may wish to instruct a lawyer to see what further work needs to be done on rehabilitation.  Of course, once he has successfully completed rehabilitation then he can turn towards reintegration.
  7. Mr Harris has a number of proposals for his reintegration and residence in the community which will need to be developed.  As we have said we think it would be helpful for Mr Harris to have a lawyer who can collect together those various strands.  In the meantime, he remains an undue risk.  We will see him again by the end of August 2022.

Sir Ron Young

Chairperson