Marshall, Heath Andrew
Parole Board Decision
In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Heath Andrew Marshall
25 July 2008
Reason for Decision
On the 3rd July 2007 in the Supreme Court of Tasmania the Applicant was convicted of 2 counts of aggravated burglary, 9 counts of motor vehicle stealing and 10 counts of stealing. He was further convicted in the Magistrates Court of assault and breach of a family violence order. He was sentenced to a total of 21 months with a non-parole period of 12 months.
The Applicant becomes eligible to be released on parole on the 10th August 2008.
In considering the application for parole the Board has taken into account the statutory criteria which it is required to do pursuant to the Corrections Act 1997.
The Board has further considered the following information when assessing the Applicant’s application for parole:
1. Comments made by Justice Slicer when passing sentence including notice of the Applicant’s excessive record for crimes of dishonesty and violence. It was noted that the Applicant had an unsettled upbringing and his conduct in relation to these offences may be partly related to the death of his mother.
2. The Board notes the Applicant has taken positive steps whilst in prison, working in the bakehouse to improve his skills and participating in a number of prison based programs. He was on a methadone program initially but has ceased taking methadone for the past nine months.
3. The Board notes the Applicant is motivated to pursue an apprenticeship on release. He has also contacted a support group to assist his reintegration back into the community upon release. He will obtain suitable accommodation with the assistance of this group.
4. The Board has considered the comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer dated 10th July 2008.
Taking all matters into account, the Board is of the view that the Applicant now meets the statutory criteria to be granted parole and that his reintegration into the wider community will best be served by the Applicant being granted a period of parole. There will be conditions that he attend counselling in relation to drug abuse as directed by his Probation Officer. For the duration of his period of parole the Applicant must also refrain from the use of alcohol and not enter licensed premises.
Paroled 11/08/2008– 11/05/2009