Man who beat partner to death 'practicising mindfulness' in prison as he nears release
A man who beat his partner to death after isolating her from her family and writing her improvement lists is nearing an early release from prison. Jesse Ferris-Bromley says he now knows what led him to killing Virginia Ford. Ferris-Bromley is serving a seven year and 10 month prison sentence for Ford's manslaughter. He was originally sentenced to eight years, but two months were taken off on appeal due to a calculation error by the sentencing judge . Ford died in Palmerston North on March 13, 2015, after being beaten by Ferris-Bromley . READ MORE: * Man who beat his partner to death declined parole * Mathematical error by judge sees jail term shortened * Jesse Ferris-Bromley sentenced for Palmerston North manslaughter The pair met in Dunedin but moved to Palmerston North to study at Massey University. Ferris-Bromley was a controlling presence in the relationship, constantly berating Ford and writing lists about how she could improve herself. Family and a pharmacist reporting seeing her with bruises leading up to her death. Her death came about after an argument about dinner, with the beating so severe Ferris-Bromley ruptured part of Ford's intestine. Doctors said Ford might have been saved if help was called for immediately after she went unconscious, but Ferris-Bromley instead wiped blood coming from her eyes. He only called an ambulance when she stopped breathing. He had his third appearance before the Parole Board in June, with a report released to Stuff indicating he is close to being released. He had no misconducts or incidents in prison, with a Corrections officer telling the board Ferris-Bromley was polite to both staff and other inmates. He had made big attitude changes, going from being very quiet to being open and social within his unit. He also completed a medium intensity rehabilitation programme and started working as a messman. Ferris-Bromley told the board he had blamed Ford for his situation, and admitted to isolating and trying to control her before things snowballed. But he now knew his offending came from his own insecurities, he said. He now practised mindfulness and was learning how to manage conflict, as well as making lifestyle changes such as socialising and playing sport. The board said Ferris-Bromley had done very well, but felt he was not quite ready for release. It wanted information from a psychologist which was unable to be obtained due to the coronavirus lockdown. Not having that information meant they could not be sure Ferris-Bromley was not an undue risk to the community. Ferris-Bromley will next be considered for parole in August. He needed to have a reintegration hui and be given guided release before then, the board said. They also wanted him to work outside the wire if possible.