New Zealand Parole Board -

Hearing: 8 July 2021

At Christchurch Women’s Prison by AVL to Arohata Prison

Members of the Board:

Ms M More – Panel Convenor

Ms P Rose

Mr A Spierling

In attendance: (withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Cyenna Diane Allimain Grace-Ngaro is 23, she makes her fifth appearance before the Board on a sentence of three years six months for aggravated robbery with a firearm, burglary with a weapon, theft, shoplifting, other burglary and common assault.  With co‑offenders Ms Grace-Ngaro was involved in robbing two premises with weapons that included a butcher's knife and a gun.
2. Ms Grace-Ngaro has been offending since she was 17 and it includes violence, burglaries, and motor vehicle offending.
3. Ms Grace-Ngaro’s RoC*RoI is .4693, her statutory release date is 15 January 2022, she has six months remaining on her sentence.
4. Ms Grace-Ngaro’s classification is minimum, her behaviour is noted as being positive with no concerns, and her PCO said that since she has returned from the Dependency Treatment programme in Arohata, she has become a different person.
5. Ms Grace-Ngaro has completed the DTP, and has been identified to complete either Kimihia or Kowhiritanga, it is also possible individual treatment would be identified for her.
6. Ms Grace-Ngaro has accommodation with her (withheld) in (withheld), her (withheld)  and (withheld) were at the Board to support her and commented on her improvement.  Her (withheld) also has access to programmes in the community including (withheld) counselling that may assist Ms Grace-Ngaro.
7. Ms Grace-Ngaro has not completed her identified rehabilitation in terms of undertaking work to address the causes of her offending, however she told us that she did well in the DTP and she wants to grow her life.  She is also working in hairdressing and hopes to be referred for an apprenticeship in Dunedin.  She told us she has never worked in employment before but would prefer that to going back on a benefit.
8. Ms Grace-Ngaro has done very well. The Board considers that with robust release conditions including a psychological assessment any risk that she continues to pose can be met by way of conditions, as such she will be released on parole.
9. Ms Grace-Ngaro will be released on 26 July.  We have removed the requirement for electronic monitoring, we cannot see that it will go any way to mitigate her risk, and we have also removed the provision to attend appointments with a (withheld).  Ms Grace-Ngaro's family have made it clear that they will support and monitor her, and that will include any concerns about (withheld).
10. The Board is concerned that Ms Grace-Ngaro has not completed any psychological work, as such we are directing that within one month of her release she is to attend a psychological assessment and participate in any recommended treatment.
11. We are placing Ms Grace-Ngaro on a non-electronically monitored curfew.
12. With the exception of the non-electronically monitored curfew, which is for three months only, the standard and special conditions imposed will continue until six months past her sentence expiry date, the special conditions are:

(1) To reside at (withheld), Dunedin 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) Until 26 October 2021, 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) Not to enter Elgin Food Market, 139 Elgin Road, Maryhill, Dunedin or Stadium Store, 94b Victoria Road, as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(4) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders Andre William Goddard, Shyanne Maree Oliver-Baker and Vanatee Tamati directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(5) 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.

(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) Within one month of release to attend a psychological assessment and attend, participate in and complete any recommended treatment as directed by a Probation Officer.

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