In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Troy Kane Wordsworth
8 July 2003
The Applicant appeared before the Board on the 10th April 2001 when he was granted Parole in relation to a number of offences. On the 19th November 2001 the Applicant appeared before the Board and his Parole was revoked.
On the 22nd. July 2002 the Applicant received a further sentence of 23 weeks imprisonment in relation to a charge of motor vehicle stealing.
As a result of that offence the Applicant was eligible to be considered for Parole on the 30th December 2002.
In relation to the Applicant's present application for Parole he has appeared before the Board on the following dates, 4th March 2003, 13th May 2003, 10th June 2003 and the 24th June 2003.
The Board has taken into account the sentence imposed upon the Applicant in relation to the charge of motor vehicle stealing along with the circumstances surrounding the Applicant's prior offending and the comments made by the Sentencing Judge.
In considering the Applicant's application for Parole the Board has taken into account the statutory criteria which it is required to do so pursuant to the Corrections Act 1997.
The Board notes the Applicant's offending occurred as a result of his then addiction to illicit drugs.
The Applicant has taken the opportunity whilst incarcerated to seek counselling in relation to his difficulties with illicit drugs.
The Board also takes into account the fact that the Applicant has indicated to his Probation Officer that he is prepared to undergo any drug counselling his Probation Officer deems appropriate and that upon his release he will undergo drug testing as and when required by his Probation Officer.
The Board notes that the Applicant has terminated a personal relationship which in the opinion of the Board was not in the Applicant's best interests.
The Board also takes into account that the Applicant has re-established contact with his grandmother and will be residing with her upon his release.
The Board has taken the following matters into account when assessing the Applicant's application for Parole:
(a) the comprehensive pre-Parole report prepared by his Probation Officer.
(b) the Applicant's prison record which has been satisfactory of late.
(c) the number of interviews that the Board has conducted with the Applicant and in particular the fact that the concerns the Board had in relation to the Applicant's proposed accommodation have now been resolved and that he will be residing with his grandmother.
(d) the fact that the Applicant will enjoy the support of his grandmother upon his release from prison and it would appear from the information available to the Board that she will have a positive influence upon him.
(e) the fact that the Applicant has prospects of employment with his grandmother's defacto partner.
The Board has been advised by the Victims Assistance Unit that there are no victims registered and accordingly so far as the statutory requirements in that regard are concerned the Board is satisfied that they have been met.
The Board is of the view that there is not further benefit to the community or to the Applicant by the Applicant being required to serve the balance of his sentence and taking into account the renewal of his relationship with his grandmother and the positive effect that relationship should have upon the Applicant the Board is of the view that there is much to be potentially gained if the Applicant is released on Parole subject to appropriate conditions and the supervision of a Parole Officer.
By order of the Parole Board.
