New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Kevin Clifford GREEN

Hearing: 26 February 2021

at Waikeria Prison via AVL from New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board: Sir Ron Young – Chairperson

Assoc. Prof. P Brinded

Dr G Coyle

Mr S Perry

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Green who is 35 years of age was convicted of murder in 2004.  He had a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.  Prior to that he had one page of dishonesty offending, and a series of thefts.
2. Today was Mr Green’s first appearance before the Board.  As far as the facts are concerned Mr Green and another man who was a co-offender, went to a shelter where a young vulnerable man was living.  They began beating with fence palings, they returned three or four times to beat him eventually beating him to death, they also kicked him in the head and finally Mr Green stabbed him.
3. As to the current position Mr Green completed the STURP programme in October 2020. When he first came into prison there were real difficulties with his conduct.  There were 60 incidents and 21 misconducts including the use of drugs and violence but since 2018 his conduct has significantly improved.  He is now working in the prison canteen in a trusted position.
4. The psychological report goes into Mr Green's background in some detail.  The details are concerning.  Mr Green's (withheld) to him, he was expelled from schools from the beginning of his school life and indeed expelled from every school he attended.  The report notes that Mr Green, as he became a teenager, began driving around seeking fights. This conduct culminated in the murder that we have described.
5. Mr Green did very well on the STURP programme.  The psychological report noted he made significant progress but there are still some issues about the use of alcohol and drugs, his past abuse and past violent behaviour.
6. Today Mr Green confirmed that while he had made significant progress from time to time he can still be an angry person and has difficulty coping.
7. We think the way forward therefore is as follow: first it is appropriate for there to be an assessment about whether any further alcohol and drug intervention is necessary.  We note he completed the AOD intermediate in 2018; secondly, we think a further period with a psychologist on a one-to-one basis on the issues that we have identified would be helpful; thirdly we consider Mr Green’s attention should now turn towards reintegration. He has the possibility now, given his security classification is minimum, to have guided releases and release to work.  It is hoped that later in the year he can apply for and obtain release to work.  Finally, there is the prospect ultimately of a (withheld) release.  (withheld) are supportive, and it seems like that was a good possible release address for the future.
8. We record finally that we told Mr Green in very brief summary form the feedback we had obtained from the victims.  It is clear to us that Mr Green is deeply remorseful for his offending and he says that he would be interested, if the victims were interested, in a restorative justice meeting.  He says he has tried to arrange one for some years now.
9. We are satisfied Mr Green remains an undue risk.  We have set out above the way forward for him and we will see him again by the end of January 2022.