New Zealand Parole Board -

Aleisha Cherie DAWSON

Hearing: 8 April 2021

at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility Prison by AVL to Arohata Prison

Members of the Board: Mr N Trendle

Ms P Rose

Dr G Coyle

Counsel:                                        Mr R Chambers

In attendance: (withheld) – Case Manager

(withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Aleisha Cherie Dawson is serving a sentence of two years, three months’ imprisonment for being an accessory after the fact of the murder of Brent Bacon and unlawfully taking his motor vehicle.  Her statutory release date is 27 August 2021.
2. This is Ms Dawson's first term of imprisonment.  While subject to this sentence she has completed the Kowhiritanga Programme and the Drug and Alcohol Intensive eight-week programme.  She has now commenced maintenance with the aftercare worker.  She is in the Self Care Unit and the parole assessment report refers to two reintegration hui that she has engaged in with her supporters.
3. Mr Chambers appeared as counsel and made submissions in support of Ms Dawson's release on parole.  He emphasised her completion of the programmes on her sentence plan and the strength of her release plan.  He submitted that the maintenance segment of Kowhiritanga could be completed in the community.
4. Just prior to the hearing Ms Dawson submitted copies of the safety plan she compiled as part of Kowhiritanga and her relapse prevention plan which was developed while she was on the Intensive Drug and Alcohol Programme.  Both are lengthy.  They need condensing.  We note that the reintegration meetings she has attended were completed before the safety plans were developed.
5. Upon release Ms Dawson is proposing to live with (withheld).  She has good family support.  Previous correspondence from a member of her victim’s family pointed to the need for ongoing support.  They were of the view that while on parole, Ms Dawson should not be permitted enter specified areas in the country where they live. She acknowledged that.
6. In the course of the hearing, it became apparent to the Board that Ms Dawson needed to consolidate her safety plan and relapse prevention plan and present the product of that work to her supporters.  That needs to occur prior to release.  The sources of other support in the community are only generally referred to in the plans she has completed.  Greater detail is needed.  No doubt that will be further discussed with her Probation Officer in due course, but the plan itself requires a clearer outline of the proposed programmes or sources of support.
7. Ms Dawson has made significant progress on this sentence and she has a solid release plan.  Accordingly, we direct her release on parole on 10 May 2021.  That will allow sufficient time for her to work with her Case Manager to consolidate her written plan and to present it to her supporters. Thereafter, for a period expiring six months after her statutory release date, she will be subject to standard conditions and the special conditions set out below,
8. Ms Dawson will be required to abstain from the use or possession of alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances and may be required by a Probation Officer or a Police Officer to submit to drug and alcohol tested any time.  She is also aware that while she is subject to parole conditions, strict compliance is expected.
9. Upon release, her special conditions are as follows:

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

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

(3) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any member of your victim’s family, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(4) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offender John Collins, directly or indirectly, unless you have prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

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

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

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

(8) Not to enter Tauranga, Omokoroa, Cambridge, Christchurch, or Dunedin as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.