Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Ronald David Williams

13 October 2006

Reason for Decision

The applicant was convicted by his own plea to one count of stealing contrary to Section 234 of the Criminal Code.

 The applicant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 6 years and 6 months. It was ordered that the applicant not be eligible to be considered for parole until seving 3 years and 3 months of that sentence

The applicant’s earliest release date from prison is the 2 October 2009.

Justice Crawford dealt with the circumstances surrounding the crime committed by the applicant, in detail, in the comments he made when passing sentence on the applicant.

The Board has been provided with documentation, which fully outlines the circumstances surrounding the crime committed by the applicant.

The Victims Assistance Unit has advised the Board that no victim’s are registered in relation to the crime committed by the applicant. The statutory criteria in that regard have been met.

In considering the applicant’s application for parole the Board has taken into account the relevant statutory criteria, which it is required to do so pursuant to the Corrections Act 1997.

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 the applicants probation officer

(b) The applicants prior convictions (which the Board notes consists of breaches of the traffic act)

(c) The applicants prison record which has been described as exemplary

(d) A thirty page submission prepared by the applicant in support of his application for parole. That submission provided the Board with a detailed history of the applicant’s personal circumstances.

(e) A number of medical reports dealing with the applicant’s health.

(f) A number of references

(g) That the applicant had participated in and successfully completed the parole awareness course.

(h) That the applicant has been conditionally released from prison on a monthly basis pursuant to Section 42 of the Corrections Act, without incident.

The applicant has arranged stable accommodation upon release from prison. He has obtained employment and will commence work immediately after he is released.

The applicant has undertaken further study whilst in prison. He has completed a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, and a Post Graduate Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety

In all of the circumstances the Board is of the view that the applicant meets the relevant statutory criteria to be granted parole and that there is little to be gained by the applicant remaining in prison.

The Board is of the view that his rehabilitation will best be served, by the applicant being released on parole with appropriate conditions.

Paroled 19/10/06 – 02/01/2010.