New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(1) of the Parole Act 2002

Sean Dennis BROWN

Hearing: 31 August 2023

at Christchurch Mens Prison via MS Teams

Members of the Board:

Mr N Trendle – Panel Convenor

Mr L Tawera

Mr B McMurray

Dr J Skipworth

In Attendance:  [Withheld] – Case Manager

[Withheld] – Principal Case Manager

Support Persons: [Withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Sean Dennis Brown is making his first appearance before the Board on a sentence of life imprisonment imposed on 9 May 2011 for the murder of [withheld]. He was sentenced to serve a minimum period of imprisonment of 13 years.  That period expired on 5 August 2023.
2. The victim of Mr Brown’s offending was living at the time with his mother. Mr Brown formed the view that his victim had mistreated her and abused that privilege. On the day of the murder Mr Brown told us that his victim, entered the house through the back door. There was an argument. Mr Brown said he hit his victim with a bottle, then the victim became unconscious from a fall to the floor. Mr Brown wrapped him in a blanket and seeing he was unconscious, admitted forming the intention to kill him, which he did in the way described by the sentencing Judge. He outlined his personal circumstances that had preceded that situation. He had experienced a loss of work and a relationship, had mental health difficulties and it would appear that [withheld], his violence was triggered by the events that immediately preceded the murder.
3. In September 2019 he completed the Drug Treatment Programme and explained some of the understanding he achieved from attending the programme. He was then scheduled to participate in the Special Treatment Unit Programme for Violent Offenders, but has been unable to complete it on the two opportunities he has had so far.
4. There have also been some concerns with his conduct and compliance. Recently, however, Mr Brown completed a number of counselling sessions with a psychologist and he is presently following that with a series of sessions with a mental health clinician. [withheld]
5. Prior to today’s hearing the Board met with two members of Mr Brown’s victim’s family.  They reported that his offending had impacted on family members in different ways.  Some remain deeply affected by what he did. They were concerned for the safety of the community if he were to be released without obtaining the help that he needed.  They did not want to have any contact with or from him and requested that when released Mr Brown not be permitted to enter the Hawke’s Bay, Christchurch, Bay of Plenty and Wellington areas where members of [withheld] family live. Finally, they sought some clarity on why Mr Brown offended. Mr Brown acknowledged the views held by his victim’s family. He appeared candid in explaining the triggers for his offending.
6. A psychological assessment completed earlier this month found Mr Brown to share the characteristics of a group of offenders who pose a high risk of general and violent reoffending.  Recent fluctuations in his conduct in his unit were referred to together with offence-paralleling behaviours.  Barriers to his successful engagement in rehabilitation programmes were noted including his management of trauma symptoms.  The assessing psychologist agreed with the current treatment plan to be followed by an assessment to attend the Special Treatment Unit programme for violent offending
7. Mr Brown appears to be making progress with the most recent interventions and told us that he is motivated to return to the Special Treatment Unit to complete the programme.  He was supported at the hearing today by [withheld] who commented on the progress he has made and the support they offer.
8. Parole today is declined. As Mr Brown acknowledged, there is significant work to be completed before we could consider that he met the statutory criteria for early release.  We support his progress in completing the programme for which he is waitlisted. He will be scheduled to return to the Board in 15 months, by 30 November 2024.