New Zealand Parole Board -

Progress hearing

Under section 29B(2)(b) of the Parole Act 2002

Jason Craig Mackrell

Hearing: 19 April 2023

at Christchurch Annex Road Community Corrections via Microsoft Teams

Members of the Board:

Sir Ron Young – Chairperson

Mr A Hackney

Ms T Sharkey

Prob P Brinded

Attendees:                                      

[withheld] – Probation Officer

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Mr Mackrell who is 53 years of age was sentenced to life imprisonment and preventive detention for murder and sexual offending. Prior to that he had previous convictions relating to sexual offending.
2. He was released on parole on 13 July 2022. We saw him on a progress hearing in December 2022, and we noted that he was doing well in the community. He had a woman friend of some two years which seemed like a stable friendship and little else.  The Board decided that given the good progress that Mr Mackrell was making, that they could end his curfew. His [withheld] was stable which was one of the pivotal issues for his safe release.
3. At the current position Mr Mackrell is still residing at [withheld]. He is doing well with regular contact with the community forensic team and contact with a [withheld] psychologist is continuing.
4. From time to time, he has returned to [withheld] when he has felt the need for some respite. This is a very reassuring approach by Mr Mackrell. When he does need some particular help and support, he is able to recognise that vulnerability and return to [withheld] for a short period.
5. He has part-time employment, he would like more hours but that employment seems to be working well. In the longer term, he will need to find alternative accommodation to [withheld].  The pivotal point for us is that continuing support [withheld] will be vital. We record there is no intention of changing or reviewing that support. And so overall Mr Mackrell has done very well on parole.  This is the last time we can see him by way of monitoring.
6. Community Probation invited us to delete the special condition relating to attending a psychologist assessment and taking any recommended treatment. The view was that the work being done through the [withheld] psychologist adequately met that condition.  That may well be true, but the purpose of that particular condition is not to require it to be instigated immediately, it is simply there as a backup should that be needed and in those circumstances we see no reason to change the special conditions by deleting that provision.
7. The special conditions are:

(1) To reside at [withheld], Christchurch 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 attend a psychological assessment and attend, participate in and complete any recommended treatment as directed by a Probation Officer.

(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 possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

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

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

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

(9) Subject to section 15(5) of the Parole Act 2002, to take any medication prescribed by a health professional in accordance with any directions given by the health professional.

(10) To attend appointments with a mental health provider as directed by a Probation Officer.