New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Vili Mahe TAUKOLO

Hearing: 2 December 2020

at Otago Corrections Facility

by AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board: Judge A Neil MacLean (Panel Convenor)

Mr C King

Mr L Tawera

Counsel:                                           Ms M Dyhrberg QC

In Attendance: (withheld) (Case Manager)

Support Persons: (withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Vili Mahe Taukolo is before the Board for the second time on a sentence of two years two months, with a statutory release date of 5 February 2022.
2. He has continued with the same commendable conduct and behaviour since his last Board.  There are glowing references in respect of his diligence, noting in particular his much-appreciated work with COVID cleaning in his role in the prison.
3. He was represented today by counsel who had filed helpful written submissions in advance.
4. He has remained in directed protective custody because of the issues that arise from the nature of his offending.  That has meant that the normal type of reintegrative activities that would apply to a mainstream prisoner have not been available.
5. The only rehabilitative programme that he has completed is the SMP.  The previous Board wondered what the point of that was and the latest PAR addresses those concerns.  One of the outcomes of that is that he has produced a comprehensive release and safety plan.
6. He has an approved address with (withheld) at (withheld).  (withheld) was one of three (withheld) who attended today supporting him.
7. In addition to those three, there is a lot of other pro-social support available through family connections.
8. Mr Taukolo acknowledged that some of his extended family are anti-social, but it seems that the pro-social members greatly outweigh the others.
9. Counsel advised the Board that one of the issues that was troubling the previous Board has been resolved.  She noted that senior police officers have confirmed that so far as they are aware, there were no other police who were acting in the same way as Mr Taukolo.
10. The psychological report and PAR assess Mr Taukolo now as at low risk and applying the LS/CMI RoC*RoI and MCMI-1V the view is that the risk is low.  Also that his reintegration needs are low.
11. Mr Taukolo has employment available to him with (withheld) in (withheld).  In all those circumstances, the Board is satisfied the risk would not be undue if he was released now.  He will be released on 16 December 2020 on the standard and following special conditions to run for six months past his statutory release date save for the curfew which will be for three months from 16 December 2020.
12. We reminded Mr Taukolo of the implications of the abstinence provision in terms of liability to being tested and/or monitored if and as required by a police officer and other authorised persons including his Probation Officer.
13. The Special Conditions are:

(1) Not to communicate or associate, directly or indirectly, with any person known to you to associate with a gang unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(2) To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work). To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.

(3) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

(4) To attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and attend, participate in and complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer.

(5) To attend, participate in and complete any programme, treatment or counselling as directed by a Probation Officer.

(6) To reside at (withheld), or any other address approved in writing by a Probation Officer, and not move from any approved address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(7) Until 15 March 2021 you are 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.