New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Reginald Robert OZANNE

Hearing: 14 July 2021

at Otago Corrections Facility

Members of the Board:

Ms K Snook (Panel Convenor)

Dr S Davis

Ms K Coutts

Support Persons: (withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Reginald Robert Ozanne, 51, appeared for the further consideration of parole in relation to a sentence of two years six months imprisonment for cruelty to an animal.
2. Mr Ozanne has a Roc*RoI of 0.29437, he is on a low prison security classification, and has a statutory release date of 18 December 2021.
3. Mr Ozanne saw the Board last on 14 August 2020.  The confirmed pathway at that time was the Dependency Treatment Programme (DTP) and the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme (MIRP).  Misconducts were noted but also improved behaviour at that time.
4. Mr Ozanne’s improved behaviour has continued.  There has only been one misconduct which involved Mr Ozanne having unauthorised (withheld) namely (withheld) in his possession.  He told the Board today that this was actually his own (withheld) but that he had not taken it when he was supposed to.
5. Mr Ozanne is IDU 3. As he explained it today there have been no positive drug tests since he saw the Board last.  His last positive drug test was in 2019 around the time that his (withheld) passed away.
6. Mr Ozanne said that the most recent IDU resulted from being unable to produce a urine sample.  He gave us reasons for that today.  Since that time he has produced several negative urine tests.
7. Mr Ozanne has been busy completing treatment.  He has completed the Short Rehabilitation Programme (SRP).  That was on 4 February 2021.  That was instead of completing the MIRP.
8. Importantly Mr Ozanne has also nearly completed the Drug Treatment Programme (DTP). He has completed phase 1 of that programme which is the intensive treatment component.  He is on phase 2 which is essentially an after-care programme. He completes that phase in another fortnight.  While involved in phase 2 he is also able to work in the unit. He is working as a painter and there was a very good report from the officer about both his painting and his conduct.
9. Mr Ozanne had filed submissions with the Board including his safety plan.  He talked with some insight today about his long-standing issue with drugs.  He told the Board that he has completed treatment in the past and has been able to maintain a significant period of time before he has relapsed back into drug use.  He said he has learnt now that he should not be afraid to ask for help when he needs it.  He has also learned strategies for managing (withheld) and (withheld) and is no longer (withheld) for those matters.
10. Mr Ozanne has support in the community.  His friend (withheld) was at the hearing today and spoke about his informed involvement in Mr Ozanne's ongoing recovery.
11. Ms Ozanne has an approved release proposal.  That is accommodation to be provided by (withheld).  An address is available from 14 July.  Mr Ozanne said that he sees that address as a transitional step while he re-establishes himself back into the community. He said he has a medium‑term goal of attending a Polytech and studying design.
12. This was serious offending which had a significant and ongoing impact on the victims of Mr Ozanne's crime.  However Mr Ozanne has completed two programmes directed at reducing his risk of reoffending and has support and accommodation back in the community.  The key for him is that he avoids returning to drug use.  He has new strategies to ensure that this does not happen.
13. We are therefore satisfied that Mr Ozanne meets the statutory test for release on parole.  To allow time for Mr Ozanne to complete phase 2 of the DTP we will set a release date of 3 August 2021.  Mr Ozanne will be released on parole on that date on the standard conditions and on the special conditions set out below.
14. As there is a special condition that Mr Ozanne is not to possess, use or consume alcohol or drugs, he was advised that he can be the subject of testing of his compliance with that condition by an authorised person.
15. There is to be a curfew for the first three months following Mr Ozanne’s release and he is also to comply with the rules of the supported accommodation to be provided by (withheld).
16. All conditions, apart from the curfew, are to apply for six months following Mr Ozanne’s statutory release date of 18 December 2021.
17. 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) To comply with any tenancy agreement or rules issued by the provider of your approved accommodation.

(3) For 3 months from the date of your release you are to be at your approved address between the hours of 10:00 pm and 06:30 am daily unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

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

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

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

(7) Not to have any physical contact with any animal, unless with the prior written approval of a Probation Officer and under the direct supervision of an informed adult who has been approved by the Probation Officer. An informed adult is a person over the age of 20 years who is fully aware of your previous offending and high risk situations, and in the opinion of the Probation Officer will not support I collude with any further offending.

(8) Not to enter Waitati as defined by a Probation Officer in writing unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(9) To attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a Probation Officer.

(10) 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.