New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Daryen Leslie John OWENS

Hearing: 9 February 2021

at Invercargill Prison

by AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board: Ms T Williams Blyth (Panel Convenor)

Assoc. Prof. K Quince

Ms S Driver

In Attendance:                                  (withheld) (Case Manager)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Darren Owens (48) appears for consideration of parole on a 10-year sentence for attempted murder with a weapon.  A minimum period of imprisonment of five years was ordered.
2. Mr Owens has a history of offending beginning in 1992.  His previous offending includes convictions for male assaults female, common assault, and assault with a blunt instrument.  This is his first long sentence.
3. There have been no incidents or misconducts since December 2018.  Mr Owens is described as compliant and follows unit rules.
4. To date he has completed the drug treatment programme (DTP), alcohol and drug brief, head start, stopping violence and the short motivational programme.
5. A psychological report dated 18 December 2020 assesses Mr Owens as at moderate risk of violent and general reoffending.  The psychologist considers that he has high re‑integrative needs.  Completion of the medium intensity rehabilitation programme (MIRP) or the short rehabilitation programme (SRP) is recommended.  In addition, he needs to develop a strong reintegration plan.
6. Mr Owens has been accepted by (withheld), but a (withheld) date has not been provided.
7. For his part, Mr Owens has read the parole report and says he has nothing to say.  While he would like a date, realistically, he thinks he could be staying in longer.
8. He has completed a safety plan.  In preparing his safety plan he has learnt about his feelings.  He believes that his offending had a lot to do with alcohol and he plans to be abstinent.  It has been a long time since he has had a drink, and he has learned how to control his drinking.  Hopefully, he will do some counselling when he gets out.
9. He intends to remain in (withheld) on release.  He does not have any (withheld) in the area and will have to rely on the (withheld) quite a bit.  They will help with accommodation, budgeting, and counselling.  They will also help him access MIRP in the community if he is released.
10. With regard to his offending, Mr Owens says: “I wish I could take it back, but it is too late now.  Just have to take it.”
11. (withheld) (case manager) confirms that Mr Owens is waitlisted to be assessed for MIRP.  Mr Owens is reluctant to transfer out of Invercargill prison.  He is also taking new (withheld) and it is going well.
12. There is still work for Mr Owens to do and he accepts that.
13. The Board has considered Mr Owens history, the current offending which was serious, the rehabilitation completed to date, the plan to assess him for MIRP, the psychological report which identifies his risk and high re-integrative needs, as well as his release plan which is incomplete.
14. Taking all those matters into account, the Board is not satisfied that Mr Owens no longer poses an undue risk, and parole is declined.  Mr Owens will be seen for further consideration of parole in February 2022 and no later than 28 February 2022.
15. In the meantime, the Board encourage Mr Owens to complete MIRP and then engage in reintegration activities including work outside the wire, release to work and guided releases when they become available to him.  Mr Owens will need to develop a strong safety plan and release plan.