Palaszczuk Government enhances tracking of sex offenders

Published Tuesday, 14 June, 2016 at 10:37 AM

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Bill Byrne

Minister for Corrective Services Bill Byrne says dangerous sexual offenders under supervision in the community will be monitored with new, improved technology through a multi-million dollar funding boost in the State Budget.

“Funding of $5.1 million over four years and ongoing funding of $1.3 million a year has been provided to enhance the modern technology already used to electronically monitor prisoners classified under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003,” Mr Byrne said.

“This funding will allow Queensland Corrective Services to implement a new Geographic Information System.

“The monitoring bracelets and associated surveillance technology introduced several years ago has been very successful in keeping the community safe.

“Technology is updating and improving all the time and the funding will allow QCS to continue to keep the closest eye possible on DPSOA offenders.

“The Palaszczuk Government is 100% committed to ensuring the safety of all Queenslanders, and this new funding will go a long way on ensuring our communities remain safe.”

Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Mark Rallings said the new GIS system was mapping software to expand GPS capability by overlaying important additional information on maps currently used in offender monitoring.

“We had a very good system before, now it will be even better,” Commissioner Rallings said. “This investment will improve mapping capability for the monitoring of high-risk sexual offenders under continuing supervision orders.”

The Government has also committed to additional funding of $10.3 million over four years and $2.6 million a year ongoing to continue, expand and specialise the statewide delivery of sexual offender interventions.

“International research has found sexual offenders who undertake sexual offending treatment, either in prison or under community supervision, are less likely to reoffend than those who do not participate in a program,” Commissioner Rallings said.

Queensland Corrective Services delivers six different evidence-based sexual offending treatment programs, tailored for different risk and needs, in prison to reduce the risk of sexual reoffending.

Sexual offenders under community supervision can also be referred to a preparatory program, moderate intensity intervention program, and sexual offending maintenance programs delivered in probation and parole.

“Sexual offenders present with a unique set of risks, needs and challenges often requiring specialised treatment and supervision,” Mr Byrne said.

“This funding will ensure Queensland Corrective Services sexual offending treatment programs remain aligned to international best practice, tailored to the Queensland sexual offender population and are effective at enhancing community safety.

“The community demands that Queensland Corrective Services ensure the safe and humane containment of prisoners as well as treatment programs to reduce risk of sexual offending on victims and the Queensland community.”

ENDS

 

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly 0478 325 738