New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Anthony Simon HIRAWANI

Hearing: 20 September 2022

at Springhill Corrections Facility via MS Teams

Members of the Board:

Judge C Blackie

Ms M Dodd

Mr L Tawera

In Attendance:     [withheld] - Case Manager

Support Persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Anthony Simon Hirawani appeared again before the Parole Board on 20 September 2022.
2. Mr Hirawani is serving a sentence of seven years two months’ imprisonment following his conviction on a number of charges involving unlawful sexual connection with a female over the age of 16 years, rape of a female over the age of 16 years and attempted unlawful sexual connection with a female over the age of 16 years.
3. Mr Hirawani’s offending involved a group attack of a 16-year-old girl over a two hour period.  There were four participants, the sentencing judge noting that the victim was treated as a sexual plaything.
4. Mr Hirawani’s sentence commencement date was 3 November 2017 and his sentence end date is 4 August 2024.
5. Currently he has a security classification of minimum and a RoC*RoI of .58492.
6. When last seen by the Board in December 2021 it was noted that Mr Hirawani had initially been in a state of denial, but was now accepting responsibility.  He appeared to be genuine in a commitment to change and was to engage in the ASOTP.  He had already completed the DTP.
7. By today’s date Mr Hirawani had completed the ASOTP (CTU:ASO) together with the maintenance phase.  Reports indicate that he performed well on the programme and indeed he became a leader to the point that he was able to mentor others.
8. In discussion with the Board Mr Hirawani demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of what may be attributable as high risk in the community, including jealousy, lack of respect, mistrust, boredom, and antisocial associates.  He said that he was in a different head space to that that existed at the time of his offending some six years ago.  He was no longer associated with the Crips gang, his goal being to become a meaningful father to his children.
9. Within the prison his conduct is reported as being very good.  He has grown as a leader and demonstrates those leadership skills during a variety of prison activities, including work and recreation.
10. The latest psychological report considers that Mr Hirawani’s safety plan is robust and comprehensive.  It has already been shared during the course of a whānau hui that took place on 15 September 2022.
11. He has an address available via the [withheld] as from 3 October 2020.  The service gives him a degree of wraparound support for the first 13 weeks following release, after which Mr Hirawani will need to secure his own accommodation either in [withheld].  In both centres he has prosocial support.
12. The Board being of the view that Mr Hirawani no longer represents an undue risk to the community he will be released on parole as from 3 October 2022.  He will then be subject to the standard conditions and the special conditions sent out hereunder for a period extending six months beyond his sentence end date.
13. On account of the seriousness of Mr Hirawani’s index offending the Board has imposed a monitored curfew for the first three months of his parole.  It will also be noted that a monitoring hearing is to be scheduled within six months, that is by the end of March 2023, at which stage his release conditions, if need be, can be further assessed.
14. The following Special Conditions are imposed until 6 Months post SRD.

(1) To comply with any direction made under section 29B(2)(b) of the Parole Act 2002 to attend a hearing at a time and place to be notified to you.

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

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

(4) Not to communicate or associate with your co-offenders; Mr Meha Hemi Taylor­Haeata, Mr Renee Chaz Haeata, and Mr Lou Harrison, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(5) 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.

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

(7) To reside at an 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.

(8) To comply with any tenancy agreement or rules issued by the provider of your approved accommodation.

(9) 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.

(10) For the first three months following release to submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a Probation Officer and comply with the requirements of partial residential restrictions. To remain 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, or as permitted by section 33(4) of the Parole Act 2002.

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

(12) 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.

(13) 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.

(14) 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.”