Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Robbie SKILTON

8 February 2008

Reason for Decision

On 9 December 2005 the applicant appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and pleaded guilty to one count of rape contrary to section 185 of the Criminal Code.

The applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 3½ years to commence on 29 April 2005, 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 21 months of that sentence.

The applicant became eligible to be considered for parole on 28 January 2007. The Board has been advised that the applicant’s earliest release date from prison is
28 July 2008.

The Board has been provided with the comments on passing sentence made by Chief Justice Underwood when sentencing the applicant. The comments on passing sentence fully outline the factual circumstances surrounding the crime committed by the applicant and provide the Board with an outline of the applicant’s personal circumstances as at that date.

The Board has been provided with a victim impact statement prepared by the victim of the applicant’s crime. The Board has taken that statement into account when assessing the applicant’s application for parole. The victim of the applicant’s crime has requested that specific orders be made which will prevent the applicant from coming into contact with her whilst on parole. The Board is of the view that the request made by the applicant’s victim is reasonable and specific conditions will be made which will prevent the applicant from having contact with his victim.

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.

In considering the applicant’s application for parole the Board has taken the following matters into account:

(a) a comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by the applicant’s probation officer,

(b) an addendum to that pre-parole report,

(c) a report prepared by Ms V Plummer, psychiatric liaison with the Correctional Health Services.

Since being incarcerated the applicant has undergone psychological counselling on a regular basis.

Due to the nature of the crime committed by the applicant he was eligible to be assessed as to his suitability to participate in the sex offender’s treatment programme.

The Board has received a report from the facilitators of the sexual offender’s treatment programme that the applicant is considered a low risk of reoffending and would not benefit from the programme.

The applicant has also completed the programme known as Getting Smart. The Board has been provided with a written report from the facilitators of that course. The applicant completed that course on 31 January 2008.

The applicant is confident of obtaining employment. Prior to being incarcerated he had held full-time employment.

The applicant will initially be housed at Bethlehem House. He has been offered temporary accommodation for a period of six weeks. The Board has indicated to the applicant that he will be required to reappear before it prior to the expiration of the six week period to confirm that he has appropriate and independent accommodation.

In all of the circumstances the Board is of the view that the applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted a period of parole.

Paroled subject to a bed becoming available at Bethlehem House until 28/10/08