Woods, Darren Peter
Parole Board Decision
In the matter of the Corrections Act 1997
and
In the matter of an Application for Parole by Darren Peter Woods
12th June 2009
Reasons for Decision
On the 8th May 2008 the Applicant appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania when he was convicted of –
(a) 1 count of assault.
In relation to that crime the Applicant was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of twenty months and it was ordered that he not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving ten months of that sentence.
On the 18th July 2008 the Applicant appeared in the Magistrates’ Court and was convicted of –
(a) 1 count of breaching a family violence order.
In relation to that offence the Applicant was ordered to serve a sentence of imprisonment of two months commencing on the 23rd January 2009.
On the 18th July 2008 the Applicant had a further appearance in the Magistrates’ Court in relation to an application pursuant to s27(1) of the Sentencing Act to activate a suspended sentence which had previously been imposed upon him. On that occasion the presiding magistrate found that the Applicant had breached the suspended sentence of imprisonment which had been imposed upon him and ordered that the Applicant serve three months and thirteen days of the sentence of imprisonment which had previously been suspended.
In relation to all of the matters that the Applicant faced he received a total period of imprisonment of twenty five months and thirteen days and it was ordered that he not be eligible to be considered for parole until serving fifteen months of that sentence of imprisonment. As such the Applicant became eligible to be considered for parole on the 3rd June 2009.
The Board has been provided with the comments on passing sentence which were made when the Applicant was sentenced in the Supreme Court. The Board has also been provided with documentation which fully outlines the factual circumstances surrounding the crime committed by the Applicant.
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.
Notwithstanding the advise to the Board from the Victim’s Assistance Unit that no Victim is registered in relation to the crimes committed by the Applicant, the Applicant’s probation officer raised with the Board the issue of the desirability of the Applicant having contact with his former partner. The Board is of the view that the Applicant should be prevented from having contact with his former partner . Specific orders will be made preventing the Applicant from having contact with his former partner. A specific order will also be made which will prevent the Applicant from being found in the South of the state (that being were his former partner resides.)
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 particular the Board has taken into account the following matters –
(a) A comprehensive pre-parole report prepared by his probation officer.
(b) A prison episode summary prepared by officers of the Department of Justice.
(c) The Applicant’s prison record which can be described as satisfactory.
(d) The Applicant’s prior convictions.
(e) The fact that the Applicant has undergone a number of educational courses whilst he has been in prison.
The Board was advised by the Applicant that a number of the offences for which he is serving a term of imprisonment occurred as a result of his inappropriate use of drugs. The Applicant has undergone counselling for his drug addiction and has arranged further counselling upon his release from prison.
The Board has been advised by the Applicant’s probation officer that he has appropriate accommodation and that the person that he will be residing with should be a positive influence upon him and assist him in reintegrating into the wider community.
The Board has also been advised that the Applicant has some prospects of employment upon his release from prison.
Taking all matters into account the Board is of the view that the Applicant meets the statutory criteria to be granted a period of parole.
Paroled 18th June 2009 to 31st March 2010