Steane, Joshua Daniel
Parole Board Decision
In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Joshua Daniel STEANE
8 February 2008
Reason for Decision
On 30 April 2007 the applicant appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a controlled substance contrary to section 12 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001. The applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of two years to take effect from 27 April 2007, which was the date that the applicant was first taken into custody. Six months of that sentence was suspended on condition that the applicant commits no crime or offence involving illegal drugs within two years after his release from prison. It was ordered that the applicant not be eligible for parole until having served nine months of the sentence of imprisonment.
As such the applicant became eligible to be considered for parole on 26 January 2008.
The Board has been provided with the comments on passing sentence made by Justice Blow when sentencing the applicant. The comments on passing sentence fully outline the factual circumstances surrounding the crime committed by the applicant. The comments on passing sentence also deal with the personal circumstances of the applicant as at that date.
The Board has been advised by the Victims Assistance Unit that no victims are registered in relation to the crime 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:
(a) a comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer,
(b) the applicant’s prison record which can be described as exemplary,
(c) the fact that the applicant has completed the parole awareness course.
The applicant indicated to the Board that he committed the crime for which he was incarcerated as a result of his addiction to drugs.
The applicant has sought assistance for his addiction to drugs whilst incarcerated. The applicant has undertaken and successfully completed the alcohol and drug programme offered at the prison.
The applicant has made inquiries of further counselling that he can undertake upon his release from prison and it is his intention to continue with counselling upon his release from prison. The Board will make specific orders in relation to the applicant continuing to undergo counselling.
The applicant has undertaken a number of educational courses whilst in prison.
The Board has been advised that the applicant has employment upon his release from prison and it is also his intention to further his studies at TAFE Tasmania.
The applicant will enjoy the support of his extended family upon his release from prison and his family have put in place a number of safeguards to assist the applicant to remain drug free.
Having considered the applicant’s application for parole the Board is of the view that the applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted parole.