Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Christopher Michael HEPWORTH

22 February 2008

Reason for Decision

On 23 March 2007 the Applicant appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:

(a) 3 counts of motor vehicle stealing

(b) 3 counts of driving whilst disqualified

(c) State false name and address

(d) Unlawfully possess a dangerous article in a public place

(e) Fail to appear

(f) Use unregistered motor vehicle

(g) Using a motor vehicle with no premium cover

(h) 2 counts of stealing

In relation to the above offences the Applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 2 years to commence on 25 January 2007, which was the date that the Applicant was first taken into custody. It was ordered that the Applicant not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving 12 months of that sentence.

On 31 August 2007 the Applicant appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was convicted of 1 count of stealing. He was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 1 month. It was ordered that the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon the Applicant on 31 August 2007 be served concurrently with the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him on 20 March 2007.

As such the Applicant because eligible to be considered for parole on 24 January 2008.

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

The Board has been provided with 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 the following matters into account when assessing the Applicant’s application for parole:

1. The comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by his Probation Officer.
2. The Applicant’s prison record, which can be described as satisfactory.
3. The Applicant’s prior convictions.
4. The fact that the Applicant has completed the Parole Awareness Course.
5. The fact that the Applicant has completed a 10 week Drug and Alcohol Counselling Course.

The Applicant appeared before the Board on 11 January 2008. At that time he had recently commenced his Drug and Alcohol Course. His application was adjourned until 22 February 2008 to enable him to complete those courses.

When the Applicant reappeared before the Board on 22 February 2008 he has successfully completed the Drug and Alcohol Course.

The Applicant indicated that his offending occurred as a result of his use of illicit substances.

The Applicant intends continuing counselling for his problematic substance abuse upon his release from prison.

The Applicant will reside with his father on a rural property. The Applicant has the support of his father and his time will be fully occupied working on the property.

The Board is of the view that the Applicant with the support of his father has strong prospects of successfully completing a period of parole. The Board is of the view that the Applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted a period of parole.

Taking all matters into consideration the Board is of the view that the applicant should be granted parole.

Paroled 04/03/08 – 24/01/09