Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Dean James Kemp

12 December 2003

Reason for Decision

(GIVEN ORALLY UPON HEARING APPLICATION)

You were convicted of an horrific murder on the 6^th August 1986. That murder was the result of intoxication and the influence of drugs. You were sentenced to life imprisonment. You were later sentenced to a fixed period of imprisonment with a non-parole of 14 years. You have now served 18 years of your term of imprisonment.

Approximately 18 months ago you were granted parole, subject to conditions and at that stage the Parole Board considered that you were suitable for parole. Unfortunately you breached your parole conditions by consuming alcohol and your parole was revoked.

You have again applied for release on parole and it is the decision of the Board that it will grant you parole.

The Board has taken into account all the factors that it is obliged to take into account under the Corrections Act, in particular the likelihood of you offending again; the danger to the public; your arrangements upon your release; and the chances of rehabilitation.

The Board is of the opinion that after 18 years imprisonment the only chance of your rehabilitation back into the community is if you are in fact released back into the community.

You are now aware that if you breach parole you will come back to prison and you will come back for a lengthy period. The Board is aware that you have arranged accommodation, in the short term, with old family friends and it is satisfied that they are reasonable accommodation arrangements. We have also noted the possibility of employment however obtaining employment – particularly someone who has been in prison for 18 years - is a difficult opportunity…

It is noted that you have undertaken a number of courses (including courses in computers) whilst in prison and you have high hopes of getting employment, however, these hopes will not necessarily result in actual employment. As has been said the Board is of the view that nothing further can be gained from you remaining in prison.

The Board is satisfied that, to the extent that prison can prepare you for release, you have been prepared.

The Board has considered that it is not prudent to grant you parole before Christmas. It is of the view that you may be facing too much temptation if we do this. The Board is also required to notify the victim’s family of your release and delay will enable this to be done and enable those persons to be better prepared for your release.

The Board is to grant you parole from the 6^th January 2004. There will be conditions on your parole similar to the conditions that related to your previous parole. Some of these will include not entering licensed premises, not drinking alcohol or taking drugs. There will also be a condition not to enter Somerset except for using the public highway that passes through or passes nearby Somerset to enable you to travel from one side to the other, but that is the only reason you can go near Somerset.

You will be released on parole for life.