Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Matthew James MUNDY

14 September 2007

Reason for Decision

On 10 February 2006 the Applicant appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:

a) 10 counts of stealing

b) 1 count of attempted aggravated burglary

c) 8 counts of burglary

In relation to those offences the Applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 16 months and it was ordered that he not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving 12 months of that sentence. It was ordered that the sentence would commence on 3 February 2006.

On 31 May 2006 the Applicant appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:

a) 39 counts of aggravated burglary

b) 7 counts of burglary

c) 41 counts of stealing

d) 11 counts of drive whilst disqualified

e) one count of stating false name and address

f) one count of resisting a police officer

g) one count of possessing an open or unsealed container of liquor in a public place

h) one count of breach of bail

In relation to those offences the Applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 2 years and 2 months. It was ordered that he not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving 14 months of that sentence.

On 2May 2007 the Applicant appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:

a) 3 counts of aggravated burglary

b) 3 counts of stealing

c) 1 count of destroy property

In relation to those offences the Applicant was sentenced to a period of 6 months imprisonment to be served cumulatively with any other periods of imprisonment imposed upon the Applicant.

In relation to all of the offences committed by the Applicant he became eligible to be released on parole on 30 September 2007.

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

The Board has received advice from the Victims Assistance Unit that no victim is registered in relation to the offences committed by the Applicant and as such the statutory criteria in that regard has been met.

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 has taken into account the following matters when assessing the Applicant’s application for parole :

1. Comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer

2. The Applicant’s prior convictions

3. The Applicant’s prison record which can be described as exemplary

4. A reference from the Food Service Manager Risdon Prison dated 13September 2007

5. Confirmation that the Applicant has completed the parole awareness course.

6. Confirmation that the Applicant has participated in drug and alcohol program.

The Applicant has indicated that he has been addicted to amphetamines since the age of 15 years. He commenced using intravenous amphetamines at that age.

The Applicant has indicated that the majority of the offences he has committed have occurred whilst under the influence of illicit substances.

The Applicant has now been drug free for a period of 19 months. He has undertaken counselling for his drug addiction whilst in prison and of his own motion has made arrangements to continue with drug counselling upon his release from prison.

The Applicant is confident that should he remain drug free he will not re-offend. The Board is satisfied as to the arrangement the Applicant has made in relation to continued counselling for his drug addiction.

The Applicant is hopeful of obtaining employment. He is fully aware that his extensive list of prior convictions may well impact upon his ability to obtain employment.

The Applicant has made contact with the Salvation Army and has participated in their excel program with a view to obtaining employment upon his release from prison. If the Applicant is unable to obtain employment immediately he intends undertaking further training to assist him to obtain employment.

The Applicant indicated to the Board that he wishes to commence “a new life” and remain drug free. The Applicant indicated that he fully cooperated with the police in relation to his offending and advised the police of a number of offences he had committed so that all matters could be dealt with on the one occasion.

The Board is satisfied that this is evidence of the fact that the Applicant wishes to live a more productive life.

The Board is satisfied that the Applicant has made substantial efforts whilst in prison to address his drug addiction, has made appropriate arrangements to continue with counselling upon his release from prison and that his interests are best served by allowing him a period of parole under the supervision of a probation officer to assist him in reintegrating back into the community.

In all of the circumstances the Board is of the view that the Applicant should be granted a period of parole.

Paroled 01/10/07 – 31/01/09