New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Peter James LINTON

Hearing: 14 April 2022 on the papers

Members of the Board: Ms K Snook – Panel Convenor

Mr A Hackney

Mr C Roberts

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. In a decision dated 7 April 2022 this Board referred to the possibility of releasing Peter James Linton,76, for a short period on parole provided certain matters had been arranged. If those matters had not been arranged, then Mr Linton was scheduled to be seen by a different Board in May 2022.
2. This decision should be read in conjunction with the Board’s decision of 7 April 2022.
3. Mr Linton is serving a sentence of eight years and three months’ imprisonment for serious sexual offending.  He has served nearly all of that sentence and has a sentence end date of 16 June 2022 (i.e, in around two months’ time, he must be released from prison).
4. At this stage in his sentence, the key issue for Mr Linton relates to accommodation.  He is now assessed as requiring [withheld].  A confirmed bed date at the [withheld] that had been identified for Mr Linton was not available on 7 April 2022.  Mr Linton also had concerns about that [withheld].  The Board was concerned that Mr Linton may reach the end of his sentence with no appropriate accommodation available to him which would not assist either Mr Linton’s reintegration after a long time in prison or community safety.
5. In the 7 April 2022 decision the Board said the following:

“If the reintegration meeting has been held, and Mr Linton is motivated to reside at the [withheld] that has been identified for him, and there is a bed available between now and the next scheduled Board hearing, the question of a release for a short period of time on parole for Mr Linton can be referred to this same Board on the papers.”

6. The matter has now been referred to this Board on the papers.
7. An addendum parole assessment report signed on 13 April 2022 advises the Board that:
   1. Mr Linton has a bed at the [withheld] which can be held for him until 26 April 2022;
   2. there have been two multi- disciplinary meetings and Mr Linton is now willing to reside at the [withheld]. He has been reassured in relation to those matters which were of concern to him;
   3. if Mr Linton is not able to have the one prison booster treatment with the psychologist that had been planned, he is able to have all three booster sessions with the psychologist once he is in the [withheld];
   4. the support meeting that was requested by the Board can be held in the [withheld] with his key supports, Police case manager and the manager of the [withheld]; and
   5. other practical matters to support Mr Linton’s reintegration back into the community such as financial and medical support are being arranged.
8. Having regard to the matters covered in the Board’s decision of 7 April 2022, and the information detailed in paragraph 7 above, this Board is satisfied that Mr Linton will not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community if he is released on parole for the short period remaining on his sentence to the accommodation to be provided by the [withheld].
9. Mr Linton will be released on parole on 26 April 2022 on the standard conditions and on the special conditions set out below. We have amended those special conditions proposed to provide that Mr Linton is to have the psychological treatment that is planned for him.  He does not need a further psychological assessment.  The reintegration meeting is required within one month of Mr Linton’s release.
10. All conditions will remain in place for six months following Mr Linton’s statutory release date of 16 June 2022.
11. The special conditions are:

(1) To reside at [withheld], Christchurch [withheld], 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. To be at your approved address between the hours of 9pm and 6am daily unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

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

(4) 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.

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

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

(8) Within one month of your release date, you are to attend and participate in a reintegration meeting, as directed by a Probation Officer.