New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Basil Raymond HEAZLEWOOD

Hearing: 11 February 2020

at Rolleston Prison via AVL to New Zealand Parole Board, Wellington

Members of the Board:

• Ms T Williams Blyth (Panel Convenor)
• Mr J Thomson
• Ms F Pimm

In Attendance:

• Ms T Gebbie – Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Basil Heazlewood (79) appears for consideration of parole on a seven-year, six month sentence for serious child sex offending over a 24 year period against five victims.
2. His sentence end date is 10 November 2021.  There is approximately one year eight months left on his sentence.
3. Earlier this week the Board met with one of Mr Heazlewood’s victims.  A restorative justice meeting was held last year.  She found it empowering.  It was her understanding that Mr Heazlewood said that he would complete the child sex offender programme.
4. At the outset of the hearing Mr Heazlewood was advised that we had met with the victim.
5. The parole assessment report describes Mr Heazlewood as compliant and well‑mannered.  He is also untreated.
6. In a psychological report dated 20 November 2018, issues were raised regarding his ability to recall the detail of his offending.  Mr Heazlewood maintained that he could not remember the events for which he has been convicted.  The psychologist considered his lack of memory implausible given the level of his cognitive functioning and recall of other matters.
7. The short intervention programme for child sex offenders (SIP-CSO) was recommended.  In the alternative, one-to-one work with a psychologist to develop a safety plan was recommended.
8. Mr Heazlewood has engaged in safety planning with a psychologist, although this was at a superficial level.  The report refers to the plan being attached to the psychological assessment dated 11 March 2019.  Neither that report or the safety plan have been provided to the Board.
9. For his part Mr Heazlewood says that there has been a misunderstanding.  He denies saying he would do the SIP-CSO at the restorative justice meeting.  He believes he has been deemed unsuitable for the programme.
10. Despite that misunderstanding he believes that the restorative justice meeting was beneficial for himself and his victim.  It was beneficial because he had to face his victim and face up to what he had done.  In saying that he maintains that he does not recall his offending.  He took their word for it.  He took what they said at face value.  He believes the meeting went well albeit it was stressful.
11. Mr Heazlewood is giving some thought to where he will live on release.  He is thinking maybe [withheld].
12. The case manager confirmed that [withheld] has declined his application for assistance.  The case manager will continue to work with Mr Heazlewood on his release proposal.
13. Considering Mr Heazlewood’s serious offending over a long period of time, the fact that he is untreated and that he does not have a release proposal.  The Board is left with no option but to decline parole as Mr Heazlewood’s risk remains undue.  He will be seen for further consideration of parole in August 2020, and no later than 30 August 2020.
14. The Board encourages Mr Heazlewood to develop a safety plan and work on his release proposal.  Mr Heazlewood should also give some thought to being released to places other than Dunedin and South Canterbury.
15. For the next hearing the Board requests a copy of the psychological assessment dated 11 March 2019 together with the safety plan, which is referred to in the parole assessment report.