New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

 

Gail Denise MANEY

Hearing: 3 June 2016 at (withheld) Facility
 
Members of the Board: 
       Hon. MA Frater – Panel Convenor
       Assoc. Prof. P Brinded
       Mr J Thomson
       Mr L Tawera

Counsel:  
       (withheld)

In attendance:  
       (withheld) 

Support People:  
       (withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Gail Denise Maney is serving a life sentence of imprisonment for murder imposed on 1 June 2000. The crime was committed on 21 August 1989 (not 1999 as shown in the previous decision).

2. She was released on parole on 16 August 2010 and recalled to prison just over two years later. 

3. When she appeared before the Board on 30 March last, she was clearly in the reintegrative phase of her sentence, but there were issues about her release proposal and, in particular, the suitability of the address put forward by(withheld).  It was suggested that a single occupancy residence might be more suitable for her, but Community Probation did not agree. 

4. The focus has now returned to the address originally under consideration – (withheld)  in (withheld) .  There is now only other occupant living there – a long term (withheld) participant, who is known to Ms Maney from prison.  This person is said to be “engaged and compliant with (withheld) rules and parole conditions,” and therefore unlikely to be significantly influenced by Ms Maney.  At present, the occupant’s (withheld) is also staying in the house, but that is only a temporary arrangement, and has been approved by Community Probation.

5. Another development since the last hearing is that Ms Maney has had a further temporary release to (withheld), where she was able to meet with the local service manager and the probation officer allocated to women who are being assisted by (withheld)   She also met with the transition coach who has been engaged by (withheld)  to help clients during the first 12 weeks post release.

6. Ms Maney has been assessed as posing a low to moderate risk of general re-offending. 

7. Identified risk factors are consumption of substances, antisocial associations, being in emotional distress and an unstable living environment.

8. Ms Maney has made significant progress during the three and a half years since she was recalled to address these issues.  She has particularly benefited from the Short Rehabilitation Programme and the assistance she has received from (withheld)  and others from (withheld)   She has also built other support networks, notably with (withheld), who is an approved prison visitor.

9. An interesting indication of the change in the way that Ms Maney now approaches things is that she has stopped making complaints to staff.  She said she had not previously appreciated how others perceived her as demanding and entitled, and that since she realised that, she has taken steps to approach things differently. And it shows.

10. Given these changes, and given the strength of the support available to her in the community, we are satisfied that Ms Maney’s risk can be mitigated and managed on release with appropriate conditions.

11. We talked with her about those conditions. 

12. She has no problem with GPS monitoring as she is subject to that on Release to Work. Nor does she have any issue with a lifelong prohibition on using alcohol or illicit drugs. 

13. In view of her history, we consider it necessary to have a face to face monitoring hearing.  The ongoing need for residential restrictions can be considered at that hearing. 

14. Ms Maney will be released on parole (withheld).  She will, of course, be subject to the standard conditions set out in section 14 of the Parole Act 2002 for life.  Unless otherwise specified, she will also be subject to the following special conditions:

15. The special conditions are:
   (1) To attend and complete any alcohol and drug treatment/counselling programme directed by your Probation Officer to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and programme provider. Details of appropriate programme to be determined by your Probation Officer.
   (2) If required, to attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of a maintenance group related to the Short Rehabilitative Programme for Women (SRP-W).
   (3) If directed, to attend a psychological assessment and complete any treatment/counselling as recommended from the psychological assessment to the satisfaction of your Probation Officer and treatment provider.
   (4) To attend and complete any other programme, counselling and/or treatment directed by your Probation Officer. Details of the appropriate programme to be determined by the Probation Officer.
   (5) To reside at (withheld)  and not to move from that or any other approved address, or stay away overnight, without the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
   (6) Upon release from prison, to travel directly to (withheld)  and await the arrival of a Security Officer.
   (7) To abide by the requirements of partial Residential Restrictions at your approved address between the hours of 7:00pm and 7:00am Monday to Sunday inclusive.
   (8) To comply with the requirements of electronic monitoring, and provide access to your approved residence to the Probation Officer and representatives of the monitoring company, for the purpose of maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment, as directed by the Probation Officer.
   (9) To submit to electronic monitoring in the form of Residential Restrictions, as directed by your Probation Officer, in order to monitor your compliance with any condition(s) relating to your whereabouts.
   (10) Not to undertake any type of employment, voluntary work, education or training, without prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
   (11) Not to contact or otherwise associate with the family of the victim of your offending, directly or indirectly, without prior written approval of a Probation Officer.
   (12) Not to possess or consume alcohol or illicit drugs for life.
   (13) To attend a hearing in December 2016, notified to you in writing and in accordance with any directions given by the New Zealand Parole Board to enable the New Zealand Parole Board to monitor your compliance with your release conditions.

 

Hon. MA Frater
Panel Convenor