Mark Standen granted parole

The NSW State Parole Authority today made a parole order for Mark Standen who was sentenced to 22 years for the NSW offence of knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug >= commercial quantity.

Standen is also serving an 18-year sentence for the federal offence of conspiracy to import a large commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. This sentence expires 1 June 2026.

In a written decision, SPA Chair, the Honourable Geoffrey Bellew, SC, emphasised the orders made by the Authority today, extend only to the sentence imposed for the NSW supply offence.

“Whether the offender will, despite the Authority’s orders, remain in custody in respect of the unexpired portion of the sentence imposed for the conspiracy offence, will be a matter for the Commonwealth authorities to determine,” he said.

The Authority formed an intention to grant Standen parole after it considered the expert advice of the Serious Offenders Review Council, which recommended parole.

“While he remains in custody there is nothing further that we require of him and his release to parole is sufficient for his re-integration and the protection of the public,” the SORC advised the Authority.

Community Corrections also recommended parole, submitting a pre-release report which advised he is assessed at a low risk of reoffending.

That report noted although he has “consistently denied and minimised responsibility for his offending ...he has accepted the reality and consequences of his conviction”.

A review hearing held today to hear further submissions, confirmed the State did not oppose release to supervised parole.

On the Authority’s order, Standen can be released 1 June 2024 subject to the following:

• Standard Conditions 1-11

• Additional Condition that he must not contact communicate or associate with his co-offenders without the express prior approval of his Officer.

BACKGROUND information

Standen was sentenced to 22-year sentence for the NSW offence of supply prohibited drug>= commercial quantity which expires 1 June 2030. The non parole period of 16 years, expires 1 June 2024.

He is also serving an 18-year sentence for the Federal offence of import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug which expires 1 June 2026. The non-parole period of 12 years expired 1 June 2020.

The Commonwealth Parole Office determines parole for offenders convicted of federal offences.