Wayne Namana. PHOTO/FILE
The former head of a major Wairarapa methamphetamine supply ring has been denied parole for a second time.
A hearing was held for Wayne Namana on October 22 at Rimutaka Prison, during which the board deemed a period of consolidation and testing was required to determine the risk of reoffence upon release.
According to the published decision, Namana had completed a rehabilitative pathway programme, and there was a strong likelihood of work available to him. His counsel noted he had a strong support network and an approved address outside of the area, which was the main focus of his criminal activities.
“Mr Namana’s position is that he now very much regrets getting involved in the drug distribution scene and his central role with his many of his whanau in that,” the decision said.
However, the Principal Corrections Officer still held some “niggling concerns” about Namana’s behaviour.
“While his behaviour did not amount to misconducts, they raise a question mark for him and the staff as to the degree of Mr Namana’s commitment to change,” the decision said.
The board noted comments in the parole assessment report which raised concerns about Namana’s professed role as a mentor to younger prisoners.
While Namana’s counsel said he was not a major consumer of drugs himself, the board was also concerned to learn about what seemed to be a refusal to give a urine test.
Namana was previously denied parole at a hearing on October 16, 2019, when the board was not satisfied Namana did not pose an undue risk to the safety of the community if released.
He was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison for drug supply offending in August 2019, after an 11-month investigation in 2017.
- A further parole hearing will be scheduled for April 2021.
