In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Wayne William Howlett
14 January 2005
The Board has decided to grant you parole. We will be granting you parole from the 1st February 2005.
You were convicted of burglary and stealing and a large number of offences and given eight years and four months imprisonment. That is a significant sentence for burglary and stealing and it reflects the seriousness of your crime. However, the Parole Board has taken into account the fact that when you were convicted you were a young age – 19 – and you have now served probably five of the best years of your life in prison – or what should have been the five best years of your life in prison.
We think that you are young enough to disassociate yourself from the criminal element and to make something of your life. We hope that, whilst you have been in prison, that you have taken every opportunity to improve yourself, so far as you can. You have undergone a number of courses, including a course in Certificate of Fitness from the University of Tasmania and you have set yourself up with appropriate qualifications to enter into a gymnasium and be a fitness instructor. We don’t think that you could have done any more in prison than you have done to date.
You have been an excellent prisoner and that is reflected in the number of references that you have received.
Mr Kemp made reference to the fact that the Judge made glowing comments about you when you came up for sentence on other matters, which pre-dated the matters for which you were imprisoned.
We note that you have a suitable place to live and good prospects of employment, bearing in mind the financial support that your mother and stepfather are prepared to give you.
We are obliged to consider the matters set out in the Corrections Act. I will mention the main factors that are set out, that is the chances of rehabilitation – obviously with the opportunity of opening a gymnasium your rehabilitation is very good. Chances of re-offending we think are minimal, given the fact that you have had five years in prison from a very young age, you know what it’s like to be in prison and we think you have realised what you have missed out on.
You have four years of parole hanging over your head. You have also 20 months of a suspended sentence, so the chances of you re-offending are unlikely. If you re-offend, of course, then you deserve to have your parole revoked.
We have also taken into account the other matters that we are required to take into account under the Corrections Act.
You will be released on parole on the 1st February, 2005 and remain on parole until the 28th July, 2008.
