New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Zariah Jae SAMSON

Hearing: 4 June 2020

At Arohata Prison

via AVL to Manuwera Community Corrections

Members of the Board:

• Ms M Coleman (Panel Convenor)
• Major C Roberts
• Ms M Kleist

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Zariah Jae Samson, who is 28, appeared before the Board today for further consideration of parole or the setting of final release conditions.
2. Ms Samson is subject to a six year three month sentence for manslaughter.  That sentence is about to come to an end.  Her statutory release date is 1 August 2020.
3. Ms Samson’s victim was her then partner.  The violence to him occurred over a period of several hours at different addresses.  Eventually Ms Samson wrapped a computer cord around his neck and strangled him causing his death.
4. Ms Samson was last before the Board in April 2020.  That hearing took place by teleconference due to COVID-19.  The Board was concerned at two recent decisions she had made.  The first was her entering into a relationship with an inmate who was recalled.  The second was that she had used methamphetamine.  Those instances aside, Ms Samson was not able to be seriously considered for parole at the last hearing as she had yet to develop a robust release proposal.
5. The report for today’s hearing sets out a release proposal centred on [withheld].  She is to reside with [withheld] there.  Her [withheld] also lives in [withheld] and her [withheld] lives with [withheld].  She has [withheld] there including [withheld].
6. Ms Samson said today that she felt this was really the only time where she was ready for parole and asked for the Board to consider a short period of time on parole.  She said that she had never really tried before but had in recent times.  She said that she has been behaving very well.  She has been thinking about the consequences of her actions and importantly since taking medication she is processing things better.  Ms Samson is now taking [withheld] for [withheld] and [withheld] for [withheld].  She also said that her outlook is very different.  In addition to medication she puts her change down to the time she has been in prison.  Now she says that she is focused on her release and on herself and her children.  She is in regular phone and AVL contact with all three children.
7. The PCO confirms that Ms Samson was doing very well.  He said the issues that had caused concern at the last hearing were out of the ordinary for her.
8. The Board has decided that Ms Samson  can be released to serve the short period of time remaining on her sentence in the community.  She will be subject to standard and special conditions for six months past her statutory release date.  The exception to this is a curfew which will remain in place for three months only.
9. One of those conditions is that she is not to enter [withheld].  This is to give the victim some peace of mind that they will not inadvertently run in to her when going about the ordinary lives.  That whereabouts condition will be GPS monitored.
10. Another condition is that she is not possess or consume alcohol drugs.  Ms Samson was advised at today's hearing that her compliance with the condition can be monitored once she is in the community.  Ms Samson  will also be subject to conditions that are designed to assist her with keeping her mental health stable.
11. Ms Samson will be released on 24 June 2020.
12. The special conditions are as follows:

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

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

(3) To submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a probation officer in order to monitor your compliance with any conditions relating to your whereabouts.

(4) To comply with the requirements of electronic monitoring and provide unimpeded access to your approved residence by a probation officer and/or representatives of the monitoring company for the purpose of maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment as directed by a probation officer.

(5) Not to enter [withheld] as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(6) 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.

(7) Subject to section 15(5) of the Parole Act 2002, to take any medication prescribed by a health professional in accordance with any directions given by the health professional.

(8) To attend appointments with a mental health provider as directed by a probation officer.

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

(10) To disclose to a Probation Officer, at the earliest opportunity, details of any intimate relationship which commences, resumes, or terminates.

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

(12) To attend an assessment for a departmental maintenance group, and attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of the programme/maintenance group as directed by a Probation Officer.

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

(14) To attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a probation officer.