Williams, Johnathan Edward
Parole Board Decision
In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Johnathan Edward WILLIAMS
8 February 2008
Reason for Decision
On 8 March 2007 the applicant appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:
(a) fail to appear x 2,
(b) motor vehicle stealing,
(c) driving whilst disqualified,
(d) driver not holding Australian driver’s licence with alcohol in body,
(e) abusive language to police,
(f) possessing controlled plant or its products,
(g) using controlled plant or its products,
(h) possess thing used for administration of controlled drug,
(i) driving whilst disqualified,
(j) use unregistered motor vehicle.
In relation to those matters the applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of 18 months and it was ordered that he not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving 12 months of that sentence. That sentence was to commence on
12 February 2007.
On 1 August 2007 the applicant appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court and was convicted of the following offences:
(a) motor vehicle stealing,
(b) drive whilst disqualified.
It was ordered that the above sentence was to commence on 1 August 2007.
In relation to all matters the applicant was sentenced to a total effective period of imprisonment of 18 months with a non-parole period of 12 months.
The applicant became eligible to be released on parole on 11 February 2008. The applicant’s earliest release date from prison is 11 May 2008.
The Board has been provided with documentation, which fully outlines the circumstances surrounding the offences committed by the applicant.
The Board has been advised by 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 relevant 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 into account the following matters:
(a) a pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer,
(b) the applicant’s prior convictions,
(c) the applicant’s prison record which can be described as satisfactory,
(d) the fact that the applicant has completed the parole awareness course.
The applicant has substance abuse issues. In the past he has abused both illicit substances and alcohol. The applicant has undergone counselling whilst incarcerated.
It is the intention of the Board to make specific conditions regarding the applicant continuing counselling upon his release from prison.
The applicant has stable accommodation upon his release from prison and will be residing with his parents.
If the Board refuses the applicant’s present application for parole he would be ineligible to reapply for parole for a period of some three months. That date would coincide with the applicant’s earliest release date from prison.
The Board is of the view that the applicant’s reintegration into the wider community will best be served under the supervision of a probation officer. The Board will make specific conditions regarding the applicant’s release from prison and those conditions will relate to the applicant continuing to undergo counselling for his substance abuse issues.
In all the circumstances the Board is of the view that the applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted parole.