Government Inquiry into Prisoner Escape




NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 148 — 11 DECEMBER 2014

he was apprehended by Brazilian Police.

At its meeting on 17 November 2014, Cabinet:

  • agreed that a Government Inquiry be established under the Inquiries Act 2013 to inquire into matters concerning the escape of Phillip John Smith;
  • agreed that the Minister of State Services be the appointing Minister for the Inquiry (CAB Min (14) 36/21 refers).

Membership

The Honourable Dr John Priestley, cnzm, qc, and Mr Simon Murdoch, cnzm, are appointed to and constitute the Inquiry. The Honourable Dr John Priestley has been appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.

Terms of Reference

Background

On 6 November 2014, Phillip John Smith / Traynor was released on temporary release from Spring Hill Prison. On the same day, he was able to depart from New Zealand on a passport obtained under the name of Phillip John Traynor. Given the public importance of the issue of Mr Smith / Traynor’s departure from New Zealand while on temporary release, the Inquiry is established to look into the circumstances of these events, and to make recommendations arising from these matters.

Appointment and Terms of Reference

The Minister of State Services has appointed the Honourable Dr John Priestley, cnzm, qc, assisted by Mr Simon Murdoch, cnzm, to inquire into the matters set out below.

Matters for the Inquiry

The Inquiry will inquire into, report upon, and make any recommendations relating to:

a. The use of alternative names (including aliases) by people in their interactions with the criminal justice system, from the point of charging onwards (such as during sentence management), including, by way of illustration (but not limited to):
i. the means by which people may identify themselves or purport to do so, whether by passports, drivers’ licences or other records or documentation;
ii. particular identity issues at the point of charging Mr Smith / Traynor, including any subsequent charges;
iii. the treatment of identity or name issues in the context of Mr Smith / Traynor’s sentence management;

b. Mr Smith / Traynor’s temporary release from Spring Hill Prison and departure from New Zealand. This will include:
i. the assessment of Mr Smith / Traynor as suitable for temporary release relative to any risk profile as to possible re-offending;
ii. the sentence management for Mr Smith / Traynor, including the monitoring of Mr Smith / Traynor while on temporary release and identification of Mr Smith / Traynor’s departure from New Zealand;
iii. Mr Smith / Traynor’s ability to obtain a passport and to access any other means, whether in prison or otherwise, that would allow him to depart New Zealand;
iv. Mr Smith / Traynor’s ability to travel on that passport on 6 November 2014;
v. the actions or inactions of any relevant State sector agencies relating to these events; and
vi. the adequacy of the relevant legislative and regulatory settings and operational practices relating to these matters.

c. The adequacy of information disclosure, sharing or matching between State sector agencies (including border sector agencies) that apply to those persons who would be expected to remain in New Zealand by virtue of their particular status in the criminal justice system. This will include the adequacy of settings, practices or systems relating to:
i. any breach of conditions of temporary release by prisoners;
ii. the existence of reasons for refusal of a passport or its cancellation under the Passports Act 1992 and how this is dealt with operationally;

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Online Sources for this page:

Gazette.govt.nz PDF NZ Gazette 2014, No 148





✨ LLM interpretation of page content

⚖️ Establishment of Government Inquiry into Escape of Phillip John Smith / Traynor (continued from previous page)

⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement
Inquiry, Escape, Prisoner, Phillip John Smith, Phillip John Traynor, Government Inquiry, Inquiries Act 2013
  • Phillip John Smith, Subject of Government Inquiry into escape
  • Phillip John Traynor, Subject of Government Inquiry into escape
  • John Priestley (Honourable, Dr, CNZM, QC), Appointed Chair of Government Inquiry
  • Simon Murdoch (Mr, CNZM), Appointed member of Government Inquiry

  • Minister of State Services