Parole Board 'extremely cautious' after Phillip John Smith's risk of re-offending deemed high

Phillip John Smith is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of a father of a 12-year-old boy. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Convicted killer and sex offender Phillip John Smith has been denied parole because he continues to pose a high risk for re-offending.

On June 22, Smith reached his parole eligibility date for his latest sentencing after his high-profile escape to Brazil while on temporary release in 2014.

He is currently serving a life sentence for the 1995 murder of the father of a 12-year-old Wellington boy he had been molesting.

In a reserved decision released by the Parole Board today, a psychological assessment report from May 10 was cited as rating Smith's "overall risk as high for sexual, violent and general re-offending".

Smith, through his lawyer, had argued for a six month adjournment to the hearing to allow an opportunity to begin the Special Treatment Unit Programme with a psychologist before continuing it "in the community on full residential restrictions".

Smith's lawyer, whose name is suppressed, also "expressed disappointment" that the programme had not been made available in a timely manner.

The lawyer also argued an adjournment would provide sufficient time for Corrections to prepare for residential restrictions, electronic monitoring and a 24-hour Corrections minder.

However, the Parole Board under convener Alan Ritchie said the "paramount consideration for us is the safety of the community".

"Given the offending history we are not prepared to be other than extremely cautious in the light of the current psychological opinion," the decision read.

"In our view, until the recommended intervention is completed within the prison structure, followed by the necessary period of re-integrative activity, risk will be undue."

In 2014 Smith escaped to Rio de Janeiro while on temporary release. Photo / Supplied

In July last year, the 43-year-old was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for absconding to Rio de Janeiro.

Brazilian authorities were alerted by an employee at the backpackers he was hiding at, leading to his arrest and eventual deportation back to New Zealand.

At the time of his escape he was on a temporary release.

Earlier this month Smith won a $3500 government payout after a court case centred around his toupee.

Smith's criminal history includes fraud, extortion, attempted arson and escape from police custody along with the sexual offending all predating the murder and dating back to 1990.

Since the murder Smith has also committed fraud in prison between 2006 and 2010.

Smith will be seen again by the Parole Board in May 2019.