Peter Wayne RYDER 31/05/2024

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Peter Wayne RYDER

Hearing: 31 May 2024

at Christchurch Men’s Prison via MS Teams

Members of the Board:                   Sir Ron Young – Chairperson

Prof P Brinded

Mr L Tawera

Ms F Pimm

Counsel: Mr R Eagles

In Attendance: [withheld] - Case Manager

Support Persons: [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Mr Ryder, who is 65 years of age, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 1994.  Since the murder he was recalled in 2013, with a further period of imprisonment in 2014 for assault with intent to injure.  Prior to the conviction for murder, he had three pages of other convictions including violence, disorderly behaviour and breaches of court orders.
  2. We saw him last in January 2024.  He completed the STU:VO Programme and had been in self-care doing the Navigate Programme with a  possible release to [withheld].  He used synthetic cannabis and was removed.
  3. [withheld] we make it clear now that releasing Mr Ryder to Christchurch would not be an option.  [withheld].
  4. [withheld].
  5. Today, Mr Ryder suggested he could be transferred to [withheld] and be released to [withheld].
  6. When we talked with Mr Ryder about his circumstances, we pointed out that the psychological reports had all indicated that he had high reintegrative needs as well as a high risk of violence.  That meant that he was likely to need intensive, highly structured and monitored residence on any release. [withheld].
  7. [withheld]
  8. Mr Ryder had been identified to do the Drug Treatment Programme, given his history of abusing drugs in prison.  [withheld].  We consider completion of that programme will be an important part of moving forward toward a release.
  9. As we have said, we do not think a release to [withheld] is a reasonable possibility.  If he does want to go to [withheld] on any transfer, then Corrections will need to investigate whether there is intensive, highly monitored residence in that area that Mr Ryder could reasonably be released to.
  10. We will see him again, therefore, by the end of May 2025 with the hope that he has completed the DTP and has a much better developed plan for his release.

Sir Ron Young

Chairperson