SPENCE: STRICT NEW BANS PLACED ON SEX OFFENDERS IN JAIL
Published Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence has announced sex offenders will no longer be sent to accommodation in prison farms, and will be banned from taking leave of absences from jail other than medical or funeral leave.
The new measures follow her announcement earlier this week that sex offenders would be banned from performing community service work.
“Various allegations have been raised this week about the management and security of sex offenders at Palen Creek,” Ms Spence said.
“While there have been no reports of incidents or criminal offences by Palen Creek sex offenders as a result of community service work or leave of absences, I have decided today that all sex offenders currently housed in high security correctional facilities will not progress to low security prison farms.
“In addition, I will ban all leave of absences from jail for sex offenders other than medical or funeral leave, which will be under strict escort, and I have already announced sex offenders will be prohibited from performing community service work.
“Community safety is of utmost importance to this government.
“I will not accept anything other than continuing to meet the community’s expectations for a safer Queensland.”
Ms Spence said she took the recent allegations about Palen Creek extremely seriously.
“All allegations will be thoroughly investigated by the Director of Ethical Standards, and I have asked that they be made a top priority,” Ms Spence said.
“I am concerned about the conflicting versions of events that have been provided by prison farm management.
“If the investigation reveals a breach of procedure or a failure to follow directions issued by senior management, then action will be taken against those responsible.”
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287
The new measures follow her announcement earlier this week that sex offenders would be banned from performing community service work.
“Various allegations have been raised this week about the management and security of sex offenders at Palen Creek,” Ms Spence said.
“While there have been no reports of incidents or criminal offences by Palen Creek sex offenders as a result of community service work or leave of absences, I have decided today that all sex offenders currently housed in high security correctional facilities will not progress to low security prison farms.
“In addition, I will ban all leave of absences from jail for sex offenders other than medical or funeral leave, which will be under strict escort, and I have already announced sex offenders will be prohibited from performing community service work.
“Community safety is of utmost importance to this government.
“I will not accept anything other than continuing to meet the community’s expectations for a safer Queensland.”
Ms Spence said she took the recent allegations about Palen Creek extremely seriously.
“All allegations will be thoroughly investigated by the Director of Ethical Standards, and I have asked that they be made a top priority,” Ms Spence said.
“I am concerned about the conflicting versions of events that have been provided by prison farm management.
“If the investigation reveals a breach of procedure or a failure to follow directions issued by senior management, then action will be taken against those responsible.”
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287