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Melissa Anne WEPA             

Hearing:
16 March 2011
at [withheld] Prison
via video conference link to New Zealand Parole Board Office in Wellington

Members of the Board:
The Hon. M Frater
Judge DJ Carruthers
Mr J Skipworth
Mr R Lewis
Mr J Thomson

Observer:
Mr A Hackney for Department of Corrections

Support Person:
[withheld]          

Melissa Anne Wepa appears to be considered for parole today. 

She is supported by [withheld], her counsellor.  She began the discussion with us today by indicating that she was not seeking release at this time.  She said she had made the mistake before about rushing into things too quickly.  She is anxious not to make that mistake again.  She says she is not ready yet.  She has no real plan for release and she needs more time.  She says she needs more sponsors and needs to have more support.

It is a very realistic approach and she is right about it.  There is an Intel report indicating that a package was introduced into the prison containing cannabis and pills labelled for her, but she says that is not correct and she knows nothing about it.  She thinks it has to do with her history when she in fact was vigorously and robustly involved in both cannabis and drugs.

She has had a major drug and alcohol history over her short life.  She completed the Drug Treatment Unit in May of last year and she says she has learned a great deal from that.  She has been doing work with her counsellor.  What is proposed now is set out in the psychological report which we have.  The report assesses her at moderate to high risk of reoffending.  The recommendations are that a psychologist become involved with joint sessions involving herself, her counsellor [withheld] and the psychologist and working on any further treatment needs and the development of an offence chain and safety plan.  She needs also to continue what the psychologist refers to as gradual steps towards reintegration.  It is hoped that she will be back on the release to work arrangements soon.  She has been in the Self Care Unit.  She has been on shopping trips and she has had a one-day parole. 

She has also had a reintegration meeting with the Salvation Army and others.  She is looking for supported accommodation.

We support the recommendations of the psychological report.  We also support Ms Wepa herself in her very clear and focused view about what needs to happen.  She has work to do.  She needs to carefully get on with it with the help of others who have her interests as heart.

Today, and in default of that, release must be declined.  It is.  We will see her again in accordance with the statutory cycle.



(signed)
Judge DJ Carruthers
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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