Please attribute to New Zealand Parole Board (NZPB) chairperson Sir Ron Young:

An independent review has found proper process was followed, a stepped path to parole occurred, and reasonable decision-making by the New Zealand Parole Board in the case of Paul Wilson (Tainui).

The review was commissioned by the Board in response to Mr Wilson violently reoffending, seven years after he was released on life parole.

Paul Wilson’s actions cost Nicole Tuxford her life, and today I want to reiterate my profound sympathy to her family. It was important that I met with them last week to offer my full support, and a pledge to do all we can to avoid another tragedy like this in future. I’ve also met with Kim Schroder’s family, who have been terribly re-traumatised by this case.

The review focusses on the Board’s involvement with Paul Wilson, which began in June 2007 and ended in August 2011 at his final progress hearing.

The reviewer, Professor Devon Polaschek, determined that “even today an expert would not forecast further violent offending either toward women or men, based on the information known to the Board”.

Further, the review concludes that “a full consideration of what can be learned by the Board requires a detailed examination of the post-release support and supervision that was provided and… such a review is being conducted separately” (by Corrections).

Currently, the Board’s ability to monitor the progress of a life parolee ends one year after release. A longer window could act as a useful ongoing oversight of an offender.

The NZPB would be open to an extension of its ability to monitor, if Parliament sees fit. There would need to be some flexibility on this, to enable for tailoring to individual cases. Each case is different, and there is no specific number of years for which a person on life parole could or should have their progress in the community monitored by the Board.

It’s important that any future changes in this area complement the vital work of probation officers, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of people on parole.

I recently met with members of the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group, which is leading the sector reform work. I will continue to provide the group with whatever information it needs from the parole field to fully inform its work programme.

In every decision it makes, the Board’s paramount consideration is public safety, and I am committed to doing everything I can to uphold that.

ENDS

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