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Ziggy Stardust BUCKERIDGE

Hearing:   
30 November 2010
at [withheld] Prison

Members of the Board:   
Hon. MA Frater
Judge J Macdonald
Dr J Skipworth
Mr J Thomson
Mr R Wilson

In Attendance:   

Mr S Berry - Department of Corrections

Counsel:
[withheld]

Support Persons:
[withheld]   

Ziggy Stardust Buckeridge, who is 48 years of age, is serving a life sentence of imprisonment for the brutal murder of Julie Sands in 1992. 

He was released from prison in 2005 to the [withheld] Programme but recalled the same year after he continually used cannabis and generally isolated himself. 

Since then he has successfully completed the [withheld] and, from August 2009, has been living in the [withheld].  While there he has been misconduct and IDU free, has maintained his low security classification and has continued to display a positive attitude.

He has been working in the [withheld] grounds maintenance gang since February of this year.  He is also participating in regular shopping trips and the community gang.  He is also precluded from participating in temporary releases because he has been recalled to prison.  Under the current rules, he is unable to lower his security classification to minimum and thereby participate in release to work.

Mr Buckeridge is fortunate to have a large number of very good people willing to support him in the community.  Many of them are here today.  In particular, he has worked with [withheld] of the [withheld] to formulate a comprehensive safety plan.  He has also worked with Mr Buckner of the [withheld].  In recognition of the long period he has spent in custody, the [withheld] is willing to accommodate Mr Buckeridge for longer than the usual three month period and to support him for longer than six months.  They have accommodation available from [withheld] January next year which has been deemed suitable for residential restrictions purposes, although we do not have a s34 report to that effect.

A meeting between [withheld] and all his other supporters, has been held to work out how they will cooperate following his release.  [withheld] has liaised with Mr Buckeridge’s former employer, on release to work, [withheld].  The foreman recalls Mr Buckeridge.  He is willing to offer him work experience with the possibility that, if an appropriate position becomes available, Mr Buckeridge will be offered it.  Mr Buckeridge’s mentor, [withheld], has also investigated the possibility of farm employment. 

Mr Buckeridge is currently employed in the [withheld]  grounds maintenance group.  He is descried as an “exceptional and tireless worker”   All accept that he needs to work.  It provides structure for him.

Clearly he also needs ongoing mentoring and support.  As well as support from [withheld], counselling will be provided by [withheld] and from the

All this is positive.  We were also pleased to note that since he last appeared before the Board Mr Buckeridge has completed six counselling sessions with a psychologist, focusing on his safety plan.  In the course of this counselling he was able to identify his potential high risk situations.  These include meeting up with old associates who use drugs and alcohol, going into town at night, being unemployed, being in the company of teenage girls, not being accepted into groups, feeling pressured by staff or given instructions and being confronted by the media about his crime.  He says that he is willing to accept help.  Clearly he needs to do so as isolation and rejection, which led to drug use, were factors preceding his recall.

The final matter which needs to be noted concerns Mr Buckeridge’s proposal to change his name.  His birth name was [withheld] Buckeridge.  Prior to the offence he changed his name to Ziggy Stardust Buckeridge.  After he was released the last time he changed it to [withheld] Buckeridge.  He now says that he does not like that name.  He says it was a prisoner’s name.  He now wants to adopt the name of [withheld].  He says it will symbolise a change in direction.  Of course whether he does so and maintains a crime free lifestyle is a matter for him.  We have made it quite clear that if he does not, or if he breaches his conditions in any way, he will be recalled once again.

Given the work that Mr Buckeridge has done since he has been back in prison and his very good safety plan, we are satisfied that his risk of reoffending can be managed appropriately in the community.  The only caveat concerns the absence of a s34 report.  Subject to receiving such a report approving the proposed address, and annexing any necessary consents by 10 January 2011, Mr Buckeridge will be released on parole on [withheld] January 2011 on the standard conditions which will continue for the rest of his life, and the following special conditions which will continue for five years from the date of release:

(1)    On release to go directly to [withheld] (to be confirmed) and to await the arrival of your Probation Officer and a representative of the monitoring company.
(2)    To abide by the requirements of partial residential restrictions at [withheld]  between the hours of  9pm – 6am daily.
(3)    Not to move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
(4)    To attend for a psychological assessment if directed and to attend and complete any treatment/counselling as recommended by the psychological assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and the treatment provider.
(5)    To attend an assessment with the Community Alcohol and Drug Service and to attend and complete any recommended treatment/programme, including residential, to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and the treatment/programme provider and staff.
(6)    To notify your Probation Officer prior to starting, terminating or changing your position or place of employment.
(7)    Not to have contact or otherwise associate with the victim(s) of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
(8)    Not to communicate or associate with children under the age of 16 years unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
(9)    Not to enter North Canterbury without the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
(10)    To cooperate with and carry out the reintegration plan developed with [withheld]
(11)    To attend a monitoring hearing in August 2011 before the Extended Board at a place and time directed by the New Zealand Parole Board.  A report from your Probation Officer is required for this hearing.

(signed)
Hon MA Frater
Panel Convenor

Review

•    You may apply for a review of the Board’s decision under section 67(1).  The only grounds under which you may make an application for review are that the Board, in making its decision:

a)    Failed to comply with procedures in the Parole Act 2002; or
b)    Made an error of law; or
c)    Failed to comply with Board policy resulting in unfairness to the offender; or
d)    Based its decision on erroneous or irrelevant information that was material to the decision reached; or
e)    Acted without jurisdiction.

•    To apply for a review you must write to the Board within 28 days of its decision stating which of the above ground(s) you consider to be relevant in your case and giving reasons why you believe that ground(s) applies.
 
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