New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Douglas Anderson ROAKE

Hearing: 8 July 2024

at Rolleston Prison

Members of the Board:

Ms S Bailey – Panel Convenor

Ms F Pimm

Mr G Coyle

Counsel: Ms Kathy Basire

In Attendance: [withheld] - Case Manager

Support Persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Douglas Roake appears for further consideration of parole. Mr Roake is serving a sentence of 13 years and eight months imprisonment after convictions were entered to aggravated robbery (x6), wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and presenting a firearm (x2).  The convictions resulted after a five-week spree of offending.  The aggravated robberies were of licensed premises where, at times, a firearm was presented, and patrons and staff intimidated. The most serious offending involved a home invasion of a private rural home where Mr Roake terrorised the three female occupants and ultimately shot two of the victims incurring serious injuries.
2. Mr Roake has no prior convictions. He has a RoC*Rol of .24763 and a statutory release date of 18 December 2030, which is almost six-and-a-half years away.
3. Mr Roake last appeared before a Board during December 2023. The Board at that time noted that Mr Roake [withheld].
4. That Board also noted that Mr Roake had given varying accounts with respect to the offending. This has created considerable confusion amongst those reading the information on file. Of particular concern to the December Board was that, as an outcome of a psychological report being prepared, Mr Roake received eight psychological sessions (individually) between October 2022 and March 2023. At this time, it was determined that no further psychological input will be provided. The Board had very real concerns that this was a minimal treatment for the level and seriousness of the offending and the potential consequences. Mr Roake has prepared a safety plan which this Board views as inadequate and will need further work.
5. Mr Roake had his lawyer, Ms Basire, present today. Ms Basire had forwarded written submissions to the Board and made verbal submissions today. In her written submissions she was hopeful the Board would consider a further psychological assessment [withheld].
6. Ms Basire notes that the plan is for Mr Roake to be transferred to the Otago Corrections Facility where he will start a reintegration programme with Intensive Reintegration Services from Dunedin.
7. Ms Basire was advised that there was now clarity about the exclusion zone. [withheld].
8. Ms Basire notes that Mr Roake has received very good reports from all prison staff and there are no issues of concern within the prison. Ms Basire also commented on the safety plan and that more work will be required to bring that up to scratch.
9. Mr Roake was not questioned extensively today about his offending. This Board agreed that an updated psychological assessment is required [withheld]. It is noted that previously psychologists have said it was difficult to work out an offence chain because Mr Roake was unclear about what had happened or what he was thinking at the time.
10. To determine an appropriate way forward, particularly with treatment requirements it will be important for Mr Roake to have an honest discussion with a psychologist for the appropriate information to be disclosed to a future Board.
11. Mr Roake was asked about his understanding of the impact on victims which has changed over time. It is noted that he first commented after he was sentenced that he felt angry with the victims and said that it took some time for him to change that stance. He realises that when he was first imprisoned, he was not a very nice person, and he states today that he has far more insight into victim impact.
12. The reasons for updating his safety plan have been discussed with Mr Roake and it is expected that that will be done during the next few months. The plan is sparse on detail and needs to be elaborated.
13. His case manager confirmed there has been a change of view with respect to exclusion zones. [withheld].  This will be a consideration for a future Board. It is expected that depending how Mr Roake goes over the next few months with respect to his reintegration and potentially further psychological intervention will determine any decisions of a future Board.
14. His case manager said the plan is for him to be transferred to the Otago Corrections Facility, [withheld]. The timing of that is uncertain.  His case manager confirmed he will engage with Intensive Reintegration Services in Dunedin once the transfer takes place.
15. His PCO spoke well of Mr Roake.  He said he is training regularly and overall gave him a good report. There are no issues within the unit. [withheld].
16. [withheld] were present today and both spoke to the Board. They observed that, in their view, Mr Roake has made good progress since being sentenced. They expressed their understanding that he needs to undertake reintegration activity. They also emphasised the fact that structure is important for Mr Roake whenever he is released.
17. There was a discussion with Mr Roake about the importance of being honest with any future interviews with a psychologist. It was explained to him that for a psychologist to determine what drove his offending, what he was thinking at that time and what might need to be put in place to reduce his risk and prevent future offending will be very important for a future Board.
18. It was also explained to Mr Roake that any future exclusion zone will be determined by a future Board.
19. Parole today is declined. Mr Roake remains an undue risk until further assessment has been undertaken.  The Board request a full updated psychological assessment [withheld]. The Board also agree that intensive reintegration and a step-by-step process is required for Mr Roake to ensure successful reintegration. This will take some time.
20. Mr Roake will be seen again during April 2025. It is anticipated this will at least allow Mr Roake to be transferred to OCF to start his reintegration programme and to also have the psychological assessment which will assist a future Board. This Board expects, whatever the psychologist recommends, that Mr Roake will need to undertake a sustained long period of reintegration to prove himself to be released safely into the community. As already mentioned, any future exclusion zones will be determined by a releasing Board.
21. It was made clear to Mr Roake that the next hearing did not mean that will be a release decision.  It was to assist a future Board, with as much information as possible, in light of the seriousness of the offending.