New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Christopher Graeme SMITH

Hearing: 08 March 2022

at Rolleston Prison via MS Teams

Members of the Board: Mr Neville Trendle – Panel Convenor

Ms Carolina Tiumalu

Ms Tania Sharkey

Counsel:                                          Mr R George

In Attendance:                                  [withheld] - Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Christopher Graeme Mr Smith is serving a total sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, killing a police dog, using a firearm against a law enforcement officer, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and other offending.  His statutory release date is 13 July 2024.
2. Mr Smith completed rehabilitation activities some time ago and has been on a reintegration pathway, though that has been somewhat restricted by his present location and the activities he is able to engage in.  At present, he is working in the [withheld] at Rolleston Prison and gaining [withheld] qualifications.  There was a reintegration hui in March last year which was referred to in the Board’s earlier decision.
3. Reference is made in the parole assessment report to a possible release plan involving [withheld].  Mr George, who appeared for Mr Smith today, advised us that appeared not to be a viable pathway due, first, to Mr Smith’s [withheld] and, secondly, because his application had been previously declined.  Mr Smith seemed somewhat ambivalent about further assessment and his Case Manager had indicated that he had declined to engage in the [withheld] assessment process.  Mr George submitted that, although the Board had supported a stepped reintegration process and, in the past, had not supported his return to live [withheld], his view is that Mr Smith, Community Corrections and the Police should have a round-table discussion as to whether the proposal could be acceptable to all parties.  The Board has previously expressed reservations about the utility of that plan, particularly as it does not offer a reintegration process of the stepped type that Mr Smith needs to facilitate his return to the community.  We would not, in any event see it as appropriate for the Police to be committed to that discussion.
4. The hearing concluded on the basis that Mr Smith will consider engaging with [withheld] on the assessment process.  If [withheld] will not accept him on their programme, we invite his Case Manager to discuss other reintegration options with him.  While that will not preclude a reintegration plan being developed with his Case Manager and Community Corrections involving a return to [withheld], the Board’s reservations as to that should not be overlooked.
5. We stress again the need for Mr Smith to participate in reintegration activities that adequately prepare him to return him to the community.  Progress does not appear likely his present location.  He indicated his disinclination to transfer for that to occur but it maybe he will reflect on that decision in light of the ongoing work with his Case Manager.
6. Parole today is declined.  Mr Smith will be scheduled to return to the Board in three months, by 30 June 2022, for his plan to be considered.