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Jason Morris MEADS

Hearing:
18 February 2011
at [withheld] Prison

Members of the Board:
The Hon. M Frater
Judge P Mahony
Professor P Brinded
Mr J Thomson
Mr A Ritchie

Observer:
Ms N Reynolds  - Department of Corrections

Support Persons:
[withheld]
[withheld]
[withheld]
[withheld]

Jason Morris Meads, who is 36 years of age, is serving a life sentence of imprisonment for murdering a 14 year old in 1999.  He and his co offender picked up the heavily intoxicated young man in Vivian Street, drove him to Inverlochy Place in Wellington where they kicked and punched him and left him in a distressed state.  He was taken to hospital by others and died the next day.  Mr Meads was found guilty at trial of the murder.

His conviction followed a history of versatile and increasingly serious offending which started when he was 16 years old.

We have seen Mr Meads today to consider whether or not he should be released on parole.

While he has taken positive steps while in prison to address the causes of his offending  the journey has not been without its pitfalls.

Mr Meads successfully completed the violence prevention programme offered in [withheld] in mid 2009.  In January the following year he moved into the Self Care Unit.  In April he began Release To Work.  However, he was removed from work on 2 June for breaching his release to work conditions.  He returned to the unit with chewing gum and batteries.  As a consequence he was transferred to the VPU Unit and began one to one maintenance sessions.

On 27 October last year he returned to Self Care.  On 12 November he began a job as a night watchman at [withheld] in [withheld].  He was very well regarded there, as he has been in all the outside employment he has engaged in.  In fact, his employer at [withheld] offered him permanent employment in a day time position post release.

All that changed after an incident in mid January.  [Withheld].  He had two very successful leaves with his [withheld] in October and November.  He was to have had another one in late January.  We were told that Mr Meads is currently facing a misconduct charge for being in possession of a cell phone.  We have discussed this with him.  It was in a locker that he and two other offenders on Release To Work were able to use.  He says it was not his.  He used it to text [withheld].  He will plead guilty to using a cell phone but not to possessing it.  That charge is to be dealt with at the end of this month.

We have had a lengthy discussion about this incident following, as it does, a series of apparently minor indiscretions on Mr Meads’ part.  In doing so, we have had regard not only to the provisions of section 28 of the Parole Act but also section 7 (2) (a) which requires us not to hold an offender in custody longer than is consistent with the safety of the community. We are not satisfied that the incident affects Mr Meads’ risk.

Based on Static factors Mr Meads is assessed as posing a high risk of reoffending.  This is unlikely to change while in custody.  However, we are satisfied that with the very strong support that he has in the community both from family members and friends, his clear view of the future, his commitment to change and mature outlook, that risk can be appropriately managed in the community.

Mr Meads is supported by both [withheld].  He is in regular contact with each of them.  He is also supported by [withheld] who is present today.  She lives in [withheld] but they are also in regular contact.  Significantly, he has the support of Ms Williams and her daughter.  They live in [withheld].  [withheld]is a friend of Mr Meads’ [withheld].  She has visited him regularly and has offered to accommodate him.  The other friend who will support Mr Meads is [withheld].  She lives in [withheld]

We accept that Mr Meads has matured during the course of his incarceration.  He is a good worker and is keen to work.  However, he needs ongoing interaction with a psychologist to assist him in his reintegration into society and to discuss potential obstacles before they arise.  He is very aware of the part that alcohol abuse played in his offending and is determined not to consume alcohol in the foreseeable future. He is also  resolved  to abstain from illicit drugs.

In the circumstances, we are satisfied that Mr Meads can safely be released on parole.  He will be released on 7 March 2011 on the standard conditions which, of course, continue for life, and the following special conditions which will continue for five years after his release:

1. Attend for alcohol and drug abuse assessment and thereafter such counselling as directed by and to the satisfaction of the Probation Officer and the Programme Provider.
2. Attend for psychological assessment and thereafter such counselling, (including referral to any violence prevention counselling, treatment or programme) as directed by the Probation Officer in consultation with the psychologist.
3. Not to engage in any employment or volunteer work, paid or unpaid, without the prior written approval of the Probation Officer.
4. Not to consume or possess alcohol or illicit drugs.
5. To remain at [withheld] at all times, unless an absence from that residence has been authorised by a Probation Officer, and to comply with the special conditions of Residential Restriction for six months.
6. Upon release from prison, travel directly to [withheld]and await the arrival of a Probation Officer.
7. To reside at [withheld] and not to stay away overnight or move from that address without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
8. You are not to have contact or otherwise associate with the family of the victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written consent of your Probation Officer.
9. You are required to attend a Progress Hearing before the Extended Board in May 2011 at [Withheld] Prison.  The Boards administration will advise you the time and date when to attend this hearing.

The hours that Mr Meads is subject to residential restrictions will be reviewed at the monitoring hearing. A written report from Community Probation Service is required for this hearing.  We make no promises as to the outcome at that stage. 

The Hon. M 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.
 
•    Reviews are considered on the papers only.  There is no hearing in respect of your Review Application.