New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Basil Raymond HEAZLEWOOD

Hearing: 12 May 2021

at Rolleston Prison

via AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board:

Ms K Snook – Panel Convenor

Mr A Hackney

Mr P Elenio

Ms A Markham

In Attendance: (withheld) – Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Basil Raymond Heazlewood, 80, appeared at hearing for the further consideration of parole in relation to a sentence of seven years six months’ imprisonment for extensive and serious sexual offending.  He continues to remain untreated as he claims he is unable to remember the offending.
2. Mr Heazlewood is on a minimum prison security classification and has a statutory release date which is now only six months away on 10 November 2021.
3. As noted, Mr Heazlewood remains untreated.  He has developed a safety plan which he worked on with a psychologist.  He talked to the Board today about aspects of that safety plan.  Essentially it is a plan which will ensure that if he complies with it, he will not put himself in situations where he comes into contact with children under the age of 16.
4. Although Mr Heazlewood would have completed the Short Intervention Programme for Child Sex Offenders (SIP) because he says he does not remember the offending he is not eligible to complete that programme.
5. Mr Heazlewood does have some support in the community.  This includes his (withheld).
6. Mr Heazlewood has worked on a release proposal with the assistance of Case Management. He now has an approved address with (withheld) supported accommodation in Christchurch. His (withheld) address has not been considered suitable due to it being in one the planned exclusion zones.
7. The address with (withheld) supported accommodation is available from 2 June 2021. Mr Heazlewood told the Board today that he knows that the (withheld) will provide him with support which will assist in his reintegration after a long time in prison.   Mr Heazlewood’s plan following the (withheld) supported accommodation is to live with his (withheld).  He indicated that if necessary she may move locations for that purpose.
8. There are conditions proposed including exclusion zones which reflect what we understand to be current victim notification regions namely Oamaru, Southland and the Dunedin region as those will be defined for Mr Heazlewood by his Probation Officer in writing. We understand that this will take the form of a map.  Mr Heazlewood’s compliance with the whereabouts condition in relation to the exclusion zones will be monitored by GPS.
9. At the beginning of the hearing we told Mr Heazlewood about our meeting with one of his victims today. We summarised for him what she said to us. It is clear that she is still significantly affected by the offending. She is very disappointed that he has not participated in treatment.  This is particularly the case as Mr Heazlewood said to her at the restorative justice meeting that he was sorry and that he would complete treatment. She wants him to complete his whole sentence and for the Board to impose conditions on him for as long as possible.  She made it clear that neither she nor any of the other victims ever want any contact with Mr Heazlewood when he is in the community.
10. This was very serious offending. Mr Heazlewood has not completed any treatment in relation to that offending.  However, there are only six months remaining on his sentence. The Board can only give a direction to release an offender on parole if it is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the offender will not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community having regard to the support and supervision available to the offender and the public interest in the reintegration of the offender into society as a law‑abiding citizen.
11. We are satisfied today that given the availability of supported accommodation for Mr Heazlewood in a region away from any of his exclusion zones, with the support of the (withheld), the existence of a safety plan, and with appropriate conditions designed to reduce risk, Mr Heazlewood will not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community if released on parole for a short period of time.
12. Mr Heazlewood will be released on parole on 2 June 2021 to the (withheld) address.  He will be released on the standard conditions and on the special conditions set below.
13. Following our discussion in relation to the exclusion zones we are concerned that there may be plans for Mr Heazlewood to move to live with (withheld) inside the Dunedin exclusion zone once he has spent some time in the community.  Given what we see as valid victim concerns we do not think that is appropriate.
14. We have therefore amended the proposed special condition in relation to the exclusion zones to delete the possibility that Mr Heazlewood can be given written approval to reside within the exclusion zone for so long as he is on conditions.
15. The standard and special conditions will remain in place for six months following Mr Heazlewood’s statutory release date which is 10 November 2021.  That is the longest period of time the Board can impose conditions on Mr Heazlewood.
16. The special conditions are:

(1) To reside at (withheld) Christchurch, or any 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 comply with any tenancy agreement or rules issued by the provider of your approved accommodation.

(3) Upon release from prison, to travel directly to an approved address and await the arrival of a Probation Officer and a representative from the monitoring company.

(4) To submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a Probation Officer in order to monitor your compliance with any conditions relating to your whereabouts.

(5) 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.

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

(7) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with a person under the age of 16 years, directly or indirectly unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer, or unless you are under the supervision and in the presence of an adult approved in writing by a Probation Officer.

(8) Not to enter the Oamaru, Southland or the Dunedin Region in each case as defined by a Probation Officer in writing.

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

(10) 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.

(11) 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.

Please note: you may be required to undergo a drug or alcohol test and or submit to drug or alcohol monitoring.