Bristol County man previously on escape from earlier incarceration, denied parole in aggravated rape

A Bristol County man has been denied parole after being convicted of a violent crime decades ago.

According to the Parole Board, on February 12, 1986, in New Bedford, 30-year-old Steven Correia raped a woman at knifepoint.

Around midnight, on February 12, 1986, a woman pulled into a parking space near her grandmother’s apartment in New Bedford. As she opened her car door, a man with a knife approached her. He forced his way into the car, grabbed her hair, and put a knife to her throat. He then ordered her to start the car and drive down Highland Street and park near the overpass. He made her shut the car off and get in the passenger seat. Correia then pushed up the driver’s seat and ordered her into the back. The victim pleaded with him. He told her to shut up and take off her clothes. He then vaginally and orally raped her. 

After the rape, Correia threw the victim’s clothes at her, and she got dressed. He drove back to her grandmother’s apartment building and told her that if she reported the rape, he would come back and kill her grandmother. Correia got out of the car and instructed the victim to drive away, which she did. She soon found a police officer and reported the rape. Correia was arrested the next day in the vicinity of the scene of the rape. The victim identified him in a lineup identification, noting some of the items of clothing he was wearing. 

On February 6, 1990, following a jury trial in Bristol Superior Court, Correia was convicted of aggravated rape. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. On that same date, he was also convicted of kidnapping and was sentenced to 8-10 years to be served concurrently.

According to the Board, in Correia’s first appearance before the Board, he did not present as forthright and honest with the Board. Despite strong evidence underlying his conviction, and post-conviction testing inculpating him in the crime, Correia maintains his innocence of the underlying conviction and of all his multiple convictions for sexual assault crimes. The Board also noted Correia committed this crime (and others) while on escape from an earlier incarceration. Correia scores high on the LS/CMI risk assessment. The Board acknowledged Correia’s achievements in other areas, including the bachelor’s degree he earned from Boston University, and his participation in multiple committees while incarcerated. The Board encourages Correia to enroll with the Sex Offender Treatment Program and engage and address his need areas. The Board considered testimony in opposition to parole from Bristol County ADA Jose Vazquez. The Board also heard testimony from three of Correia’s family members, and a friend, in support of parole. The Board concluded by unanimous decision that Steven Correia has not demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.