He had been at the Whanganui Prison since 2008 with a low security classification and was described as a "very compliant and hard-working prisoner".
"He is living in a harmony unit and working as a mess man and in the timber processing industry. He has a foreman-type role," the decision read.
Over the years Alder had attained a number of NZQA work training credits including first aid, forklift, health and safety and several timber processing related qualifications.
Because of identified dynamic risk factors, he had been given an override to undertake the Adult Sex Offender Treatment Programme (ASOTP) and had been working with a psychologist since June to prepare for the intensive, group-base treatment programme.
"He is assessed as posing a moderate to low risk of further violent and/or sexual offending. However, if he re-offends the consequences to potential victims are likely to be catastrophic and result in death."
The decision also noted the Parole Board had talked with Alder about his offending.
"At the time of the trial he said he could not remember a lot of what happened. He told us that in the year after the offending, he had flashbacks, but blocked them out.
"He is now able to recall most of what happened, but his memories are somewhat disjointed."
The board had told him of the meeting they had on the morning of January 23 with members of the victim's family.
"They are a very compassionate family. Their primary concern is that, while in prison, he receives appropriate treatment so that he does not re-offend post release. They do not want other victims."
Alder acknowledged receiving a letter from the victim's mother when he went to prison and said it "broke his heart".
Alder did not seek parole at the January hearing and his counsel asked that he be brought back before the board once he had completed the ASOTP, which would take at least nine months.
Alder's next hearing was set to be in roughly two years' time, January 24, 2020 at the latest.