Jess Daniel NASH 07/02/2024

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Jesse Daniel NASH

Hearing: 7 February 2024

at Invercargill Prison

Members of the Board:

Ms M Coleman – Panel Convenor

Dr G Coyle

Mr C King

In Attendance:                                  [withheld] – Case Manager

DECISION OF THE BOARD

  1. Jessie Daniel Nash, who is 42, appeared before the Board today for further consideration of parole on a five year sentence for using a firearm against a law enforcement officer and a range of other offending including obstructing justice, threats to kill or commit grievous bodily harm, and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
  2. Mr Nash’s recent convictions added to an already lengthy criminal history that dates back nearly 25 years.
  3. Mr Nash’ statutory release date is 18 December 2024.
  4. Mr Nash was last before the Board in August 2022.  It noted that he was working individually with a psychologist and was motivated to be released to [withheld].  Release to [withheld] at that time was not supported as he had recently assaulted another inmate, which resulted in the matter being referred to police.
  5. In fact, no charges followed that incident.  Mr Nash was placed in directed segregation and remained there voluntarily until [withheld] the beginning of September 2023.  Since then, while there have been no further instances of violent behaviour there have been two incidents of non-violent aggression and the PCO said that if his security classification was re-calculated now, it would still remain high.
  6. Nevertheless, the PCO indicated that Mr Nash had made good strides in the last three months or so on managing his behaviour.  Mr Nash himself feels that he has made changes since completing the Short Violence Prevention Programme and earlier individual treatment with a psychologist.  However, he also conceded that these changes are quite recent, and accepted he needed to demonstrate that change is real.  Mr Nash said that he needs to be positive and to think more about the consequences.
  7. Mr Nash also spoke to the Board about why he wants to go to [withheld].  He said that the appeal about [withheld] is the long-term nature of that programme.  He wants [withheld] to help him practice the skills that he is developing and to assist him to learn better ways to live.  He said that he is now 42 years old and wants real changes in his life.  [withheld]
  8. [withheld]
  9. The Board has not quite reached the point where it feels that it can safely release Mr Nash to [withheld].  However, we want to acknowledge the progress that he has made.  We consider that [withheld] is a good release option for him but want him to prove himself over the next three months before his release to [withheld] is considered again.
  10. As things stand his risk remains undue and parole today is declined.   We will see Mr Nash again in May 2024 and at a date before the end of that month.

Ms M Coleman

Panel Convenor