One of New Zealand's youngest murderers has been denied parole because of concerns he is not ready to be released.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham Farrelly
Jordan Nelson was 13 years old when he was jailed for 18 years for murdering his grandfather's partner.
He shot Rosemaree Kurth in the head at their Taranaki home in 2012.
The parole board said its concerns included Nelson's jail time relationship with a mother-of-two.
"Given Mr Nelson is only 21, has spent all of his teenage years, save the very first period, in prison and is proposing parenting two young children in a partnership with a woman 15 years older than him, has concerning elements," it said, in its written decision.
It also pointed to his unlawful conduct in helping a fellow prisoner transfer money.
"Another prisoner had a cell phone," it said. "He did not know how to use it. He wanted to use it to transfer money and contact people in prison.
"Mr Nelson showed him how to transfer the money and make contact with others. As a result, Mr Nelson was rewarded with some clothes and access to the phone to call what he described as his partner.
"Obviously, that was seriously unlawful conduct. We pointed out to Mr Nelson his actions could constitute a crime given the circumstances relating to the transfer of money was obviously suspicious."
The board said overall he was progressing well at Te Whare Oranga Ake in Hawke's Bay, including recently starting some horticultural work.
The board concluded Nelson should concentrate on that work to demonstrate he was prepared for adult life outside prison.
It said he needed to rethink his release plan and consider finding supported accommodation.
In the meantime he still posed an undue risk, it said.