New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Blair David BEAUMONT

Hearing: 14 December 2023

at Rolleston Prison via MS Teams

Members of the Board:

Ms M More – Panel Convenor

Mr C King

Ms F Pimm

In Attendance:   [withheld] - Case Manager

Support Persons:  [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Blair David Beaumont is 39, he makes his third appearance on a sentence of three years, seven months for a number of charges relating to fraudulent offending and one charge of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.  From December 2018 to May 2021 Mr Beaumont engaged in online sales of non-existent items, he accepted money for work not undertaken, and he accrued debts for accommodations and meals.  He failed to return a rental car, and he stole a floor scrubber from a property that he was renting and onsold it.  Some of the offending took place while he was on release conditions.
2. Mr Beaumont’s offending history is similar, since the age of 19, it includes 45 dishonesty offences.
3. Mr Beaumont’s RoC*RoI is 0.43264, his statutory release date is 19 December 2024, he has one year remaining on his sentence.  Mr Beaumont’s classification is minimum and the parole assessment report said he is polite and courteous with no concerns.  There is also an incident where he declined to bring in contraband while on release to work, and his PCO said he is compliant with no issues.
4. Mr Beaumont has completed the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme and the Dependency Treatment Programme phases 1 and 2, and aftercare.  Currently, he is on release to work, and he comes seeking Parole.
5. Mr Beaumont talked about the work he has done on the programmes, and the eyeopener that Release to Work presented for him.  He said having responsibility in proving he can be trusted means that he appreciates the opportunity for stable employment.  [withheld].
6. Mr Beaumont spoke well to the Board about his previous issues and how he will manage them, he said lack of finances would be a struggle and he wants employment rather than to run his own business as before.  [withheld].
7. Mr Beaumont has completed the rehabilitative phase of his sentence and is well into the reintegrative phase, the Board considers that any undue risk he poses can be met by way of the special conditions proposed, he will be released on Parole.  As far as the conditions go, we are adopting those proposed along with the addition of a condition that he is not to be involved in the handling of any money of any person or entity, without written permission from his Probation Officer.
8. Mr Beaumont will be released on 24 January 2024. With the exception of the electronically monitored residential restrictions which are for three months only the standard and special conditions imposed will continue until six months after his statutory release date.
9. The Special Conditions are:

(1) Until 23 April 2024 to comply with the requirements of partial residential restrictions and remain in the area defined by a Probation Officer at [withheld], Christchurch, between the hours of 10.00pm and 6.00am daily unless you leave the residence:

(a) to seek urgent medical or dental treatment;

(b) to avoid or minimise a serious risk of death or injury to you or any other person;

(c) for humanitarian reasons approved by a Probation Officer; or

(d) with the prior written approval of a Probation Officer in order to:

(i) comply with any special conditions;

(ii) seek or engage in employment; or

(iii) to attend training or other rehabilitative or reintegrative activities or programmes

(2) Upon release from prison, to travel directly to [withheld], Christchurch, and await the arrival of a Probation Officer and a representative from the monitoring company.

(3) Until 23 April 2024 to comply with the requirements of electronic monitoring and provide unimpeded access to your approved residence by a Probation Officer and/or representatives of the monitoring company for the purpose of maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment as directed by a Probation Officer.

(4) Until 23 April 2024 to submit to electronic monitoring as directed by a probation officer, in order to monitor your compliance with any conditions relating to your residential restrictions.

(5) Upon expiry of the residential restrictions condition, you are to reside at an address approved in writing by a Probation Officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(6) To attend an assessment for a departmental programme/maintenance group, and attend, participate in and adhere to the rules of the programme/maintenance group as directed by a Probation Officer.

(7) To attend, participate in and complete a Problem Gambling Programme as directed by a Probation Officer.

(8) Not to engage in any betting or gambling either directly or indirectly.

(9) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

(10) To attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and attend, participate in and complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer.

(11) Not to have contact or otherwise associate, with any victim of your offending, [including previous offending] directly or indirectly, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

(12) To obtain the written approval of a Probation Officer before starting or changing your position and/or place of employment (including voluntary and unpaid work). To notify a Probation Officer if you leave your position of employment.

(13) To attend a reintegration meeting as directed by a Probation Officer.

(14) Upon request, to make available to a Probation Officer, or his or her agent, any electronic device capable of accessing the internet that is used by you, or is in your possession or control, for the purpose of monitoring your use of the device.

(15) Not to be involved in the handling of money, provision of advice or management of the financial accounts or transactions, of any person or entity, unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.