Published Tuesday, 19 June, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
ROB MESSENGER DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE
Rob Messenger has again shown his lack of understanding when it comes to issues surrounding offenders on parole and probation orders, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said.
“The State Government does not decide when prisoners will be allowed back into the community – that decision is made by the courts or the parole board, sometimes despite objections from the government,” Ms Spence said.
“I introduced truth in sentencing, which means once parole or probation is granted, offenders in this state are subject to strict conditions, which may include regular drug and alcohol testing, weekly reporting to authorities, curfews and strict rules on where offenders can and can not go in the community.”
Ms Spence said the number of offenders who complete parole or probation orders in Queensland without incident is 69 per cent which is just below the national average of 72 per cent.
“The Beattie Government has already moved to improve this figure through the biggest overhaul of community corrections in 15 years,” Ms Spence said
“The five-year $57.5 million reform program is delivering tougher supervision and surveillance of offenders and new rehabilitation programs to help former prisoners get their lives back on track.
“While Mr Messenger continues to whinge, this Government is taking action to keep the community safe.”
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger’s continuing push for a public register of sex offenders in the community flies in the face of expert advice.
“Mr Messenger continues to fail to consider the opinions of experts from groups such as Bravehearts and the Australian Institute of Criminology, who agree with my assessment that a register would just push offenders underground,” Ms Spence said.
“In countries where such registers exist, offenders often fail to report to authorities and supervision and surveillance is hampered.
“If such a register such as Mr Messenger is suggesting was introduced here it would also make other men in the community the unfortunate subjects of suspicion.
“Rather than making false allegations and irresponsible proposals, Mr Messenger should listen to those people who understand how best to manage these offenders.”
MORE INFORMATION: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
“The State Government does not decide when prisoners will be allowed back into the community – that decision is made by the courts or the parole board, sometimes despite objections from the government,” Ms Spence said.
“I introduced truth in sentencing, which means once parole or probation is granted, offenders in this state are subject to strict conditions, which may include regular drug and alcohol testing, weekly reporting to authorities, curfews and strict rules on where offenders can and can not go in the community.”
Ms Spence said the number of offenders who complete parole or probation orders in Queensland without incident is 69 per cent which is just below the national average of 72 per cent.
“The Beattie Government has already moved to improve this figure through the biggest overhaul of community corrections in 15 years,” Ms Spence said
“The five-year $57.5 million reform program is delivering tougher supervision and surveillance of offenders and new rehabilitation programs to help former prisoners get their lives back on track.
“While Mr Messenger continues to whinge, this Government is taking action to keep the community safe.”
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger’s continuing push for a public register of sex offenders in the community flies in the face of expert advice.
“Mr Messenger continues to fail to consider the opinions of experts from groups such as Bravehearts and the Australian Institute of Criminology, who agree with my assessment that a register would just push offenders underground,” Ms Spence said.
“In countries where such registers exist, offenders often fail to report to authorities and supervision and surveillance is hampered.
“If such a register such as Mr Messenger is suggesting was introduced here it would also make other men in the community the unfortunate subjects of suspicion.
“Rather than making false allegations and irresponsible proposals, Mr Messenger should listen to those people who understand how best to manage these offenders.”
MORE INFORMATION: Troy Davies – 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287