Charles John COULAM 13/10/2021

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Charles John COULAM

Hearing: 13 October 2021

At Auckland Prison, (withheld) via Videoconference

Members of the Board: Sir R Young – Chairperson

Prof. P Brinded

In attendance: (withheld)– Case Manager

(withheld)

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Mr Coulam who is 51 years of age was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and assault to commit sexual violation in 1989.  He had only minor previous convictions previously.  Mr Coulam has been in the (withheld) now for some time.  He has been undertaking (withheld).
  2. We last saw in April 2021.  At that stage we noted he was undertaking (withheld) and had been approved for up to three nights per week at level 4 accommodation at (withheld). Consideration was then been given to a further increase in that arrangement so that he could leave the (withheld) for the supported accommodation six nights a week. (withheld) authority was required.  The Board said they wanted to know precisely what conditions were being proposed with regard to any proposed accommodation release. At the next hearing the Board would be reviewing the progress that Mr Coulam had made on releases of six nights a week.
  3. As to the current position the Correction’s psychologist says that he was able to have good rapport with Mr Coulam taking into account his (withheld) limitations.  Mr Coulam has had regular community leaves from the (withheld) involving shopping, going to the gym, library and seeing his family.
  4. An application has not yet been formally made for him to go to six night weekly leaves from the (withheld).  There have been a number of reasons  firstly, Mr Coulam has had a number of health problems, and secondly COVID‑19 has intervened.
  5. Mr Coulam’s position is therefore similar to that in April 2021 when we last saw him.
  6. Mr Coulam today sought release on parole.  We do not think that is currently appropriate given his risk. At present Mr Coulam is only approved for overnight accommodation at level 4 supported accommodation for three nights per week. He is not yet approved for six nights a week.  We would want to see the application for six nights per accommodation  made  and approved and Mr Coulam  increasing his overnight stays showing that he can appropriately cope with that increased freedom without difficulty.  We consider that process in the circumstances is very much the best way forward to assess risk.   After he successfully  completes a significant period of six  night weekly overnights stays  we could look at further consideration of parole.
  7. The accommodation he has at (withheld) provides significant support for him, and is likely to be his accommodation in the long-term.
  8. We will see him again, therefore, in nine months’ time by the end of July 2022 and in  the meantime he remains an undue risk.

This decision has been issued following consideration of parole in accordance with the provisions of an epidemic management notice issued by the Government on 30 March 2020 and in accordance with section 13A of the Parole Act 2002.  There has been a hearing conducted by a Panel Convenor and a Board Member.  All of the usual material has been considered and there has been a videoconference discussion involving the Board, the Offender, Counsel and Case Management.

Sir Ron Young.

Chairperson