CPPS - Drafting the Report

Information about the programmes, counselling and support groups required to address the offender's identified rehabilitative needs, and:

• whether appropriate rehabilitative programmes are available
• if appropriate rehabilitative programmes are not available state the reasons why, and suggest an alternative, if available.

If an offender is eligible, or being assessed, for an extended supervision (ES) order this must also be noted under a heading entitled ES in this sub-section, along with any relevant information gathered about this.

Provide details of the proposed address and occupants. State whether the address is suitable and available.

The following table outlines the information that must be included about the proposed accommodation.

Including any issues highlighted from enquiries with CYF, Immigration and Police that may relate to the accommodation proposal.

Include information about RR under a heading entitled ‘Residential Restrictions’, outlining:

• if RR has been canvassed
• whether RR is recommended
• the rationale for the recommendation
• refer the reader to the RR appendix for details
• if RR hasn’t been canvassed state that RR has not been canvassed, and state the rationale for this.

If the offender proposes employment include:

• a statement outlining the nature and type of employment 
• all information gathered about the employment through enquiries
• a statement about the suitability of the employment
• including any impacts on RR (if applicable)
• the rationale for this assessment.

If the offender does not propose any employment, include:

• information gathered about possible options for employment
• risks identified of releasing the offender on parole without any confirmed employment
• offender's likely income source.

Note any immigration issues that may impact employment.

Provide information about:

• whether the offender has any financial issues/concerns 
• any proposals to address these concerns.

Provide information about:

• whether the offender is in a personal relationship, has children and/or has a close relationship with their family or whanau
• close personal or family relationships about the nature and suitability of these
• relationship issues/concerns (past or current) about these issues/concerns along with any proposals to address them
• current or previous convictions for child abuse or domestic violence
• any contact with children from Child, Youth and Family (CYF)
• protection orders.

Including any issues highlighted from enquiries with CYF and Police that may relate to this proposal.

If the offender has proposed community support, include: 

• all information gathered through enquiries about the community support
• a statement about the suitability of the proposed support
• the rationale for this assessment.

If the offender does not have any proposed community support, include:

• a statement about the level of community support the offender requires
• the risks of releasing the offender without any community support
• all information gathered about potential options for community support.

If there are issues about victims, include:

• a statement about whether or not any issues related to victims have been identified including proximity of the proposed address to the victim
• whether the victim is registered on the victim notification register (VNR)
• all information gathered about any identified concerns along with any proposals to mitigate/address them. 

If there are issues about the offender's health, include:

• a statement about whether the offender has any healthcare concerns
• any proposals to address these concerns.

ensure that special conditions are worded appropriately and are proposed:

• in compliance with section 15 of the Parole Act 2002 
• that address all of the offender's identified rehabilitative and reintegrative needs.

If the offender is eligible to be assessed for an ES order, the probation officer must ensure that special conditions are recommended in accordance with this indication of risk.

If RR is recommended, then RR conditions must be included as detailed in this section.

Reference: For more information about determining and recommending proposed special conditions see Recommending Release Conditions.

Note: The wording of the conditions of RR will be different on the offender’s release licence. This is because the wording for the conditions of RR are specified in the Parole Regulations Act and must appear on the release licence in a pre-formatted way.

consider the following factors when recommending the length:

• minimum and maximum period of time conditions may be imposed (as per section 29 of the Parole Act 2002)
• minimum period of time necessary for the offender to complete any recommended programmes, counselling or treatment
• offender's level of risk and need
• degree/length of restrictions required to protect the safety of the community and the interests of the victim (if any)
• offender's statutory release date (ie, how long they will be eligible for recall).

Note: If the offender is eligible to be assessed for an ES order, the probation officer should recommend that the release conditions be imposed until six months past the sentence end date.

list all sources of information used to prepare the parole assessment report. This includes any letters, references, phone conversations, interviews, file material or specialist assessments. Include the:

• name/s of the person/s the information was received from
• date the information was received.

Note: Include your name and title in the format ‘Mr/Mrs/Ms [First and Second Names], Probation Officer’.

List any documents that you attach. This includes the RR appendix, occupant's agreement and offender agreement if RR has been canvassed. Include the:

• name or description of the document
• date the document was prepared/received.

Note: Fax the signed appendix and occupants’ agreement to the sentence planner, retaining the originals on file with the original offender agreement sent from PS. The sentence planner will attach these copies to the final parole assessment report submitted to the NZPB, along with their copy of the signed offender’s agreement.