Parole Board Decision

In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997

and

In the matter of an Application for Parole by Colin Harvey TEMPLAR

22 February 2008

Reason for Decision

On 14 June 2006 the Applicant appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:

(a) Common Assault

(b) Aggravated Assault

(c) Possess firearm when not the holder of a Firearm’s Licence of the appropriate category

(d) 2 counts of assault a Police Officer

(e) Resist a Police Officer

(f) Injure property

(g) 2 counts of possess control plant or its product

(h) Possessing use and administration of a controlled drug

(i) 2 counts of learner driver driving unaccompanied by a licensed driver

(j) 3 counts of fail to display ‘L’ Plates so far as to be clearly visible

(k) 2 counts of use unregistered motor vehicle on a public street

(l) 2 counts of using a motor vehicle with premium cover

(m) Drive without due care and attention

In relation to the above offences the Applicant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 ½ years to commence on 6 March 2006, 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 service 2 years of that sentence and as such the Applicant is eligible to be released on parole on 6 March 2006.

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

The Board has received advice from the Victims Assistance Unit that no victims are 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 at positive.

3. The fact that the Applicant has made use of his time in prison.

4. The Applicant has successfully undertaken and completed the following courses:

(a) a Parole Awareness Course;

(b) a Parenting Course;

(c) a number of educational courses through Rosny College;

(d) Certificate II in Engineering;

(e) Certificate III and IV in Chemical Handling;

(f) Certificate II in First Aid.

The Applicant has also enrolled in the YALA Art Program run through the prison.

The Applicant has undergone a number of conditional releases pursuant to Section 42 of the Corrections Act 1997. Each such period of conditional release has occurred without incident.

The Applicant has also completed the “Preparing for Change” course run through the prison.

The Applicant is of Aboriginal descent and will have the support of his family and the wider Aboriginal community upon his release from prison.

The offences for which the Applicant is presently incarcerated occurred as a result of the Applicant becoming intoxicated. The Applicant has also sought assistance for his inappropriate use of alcohol whilst in prison.

Given the support the Applicant will enjoy from his parents, the fact that the Applicant has strong prospects of employment and the support of the wider Aboriginal community the Board is of the view that the Applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted a period of parole.

Paroled 05/03/08 – 05/09/09