Published Wednesday, 05 September, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
NZ TRIALS PROVE MESSENGER WRONG ON GPS MONITORING OF SEX OFFENDERS
The Opposition has been flogging a dead horse in its push for GPS monitoring of sex offenders, with New Zealand authorities rejecting the technology as an effective monitoring tool, Minister for Corrective Services Judy Spence said today.
“The Department of Corrections in New Zealand conducted a two year trial on GPS technology and has now discounted it as a replacement for existing technology because it is too unreliable,” Ms Spence said.
“New Zealand authorities concluded that GPS should only be used as a retrospective monitoring tool as there are significant risks associated with its use as an active monitoring device.
“They’ve said GPS cannot be used as a stand alone monitoring device and can only be used in limited situations in conjunction with standard electronic monitoring equipment.”
“Rob Messenger has based his calls for the use of GPS tracking equipment on the fanciful notion that offenders could be tracked everywhere they go in real time – clearly he has not done his homework.”
Ms Spence said the government’s current use of electronic monitoring equipment in conjunction with curfews and other supervision conditions is the best option available to monitor sex offenders in the community.
“The technology we use in Queensland lets surveillance officers know when an offender is not in his house during curfew.”
“This technology has worked well in recent times, with the return to secure custody of one offender who was caught breaching his supervision order when electronic monitoring equipment alerted authorities to the fact he was not at home.
“Another offender not subjected to electronic monitoring was found in the company of this man and was also later returned to secure custody for breaching his supervision order.”
“Our system is working, and no sex offenders subject to electronic monitoring have committed further sex offences, yet Mr Messenger wants to replace our very effective system with one that cannot properly monitor offenders.
“If GPS technology one day proves to be an effective tool in monitoring sex offenders then this government will consider using it, but until then Mr Messenger should listen to the experts and admit our current system is the preferred option.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
“The Department of Corrections in New Zealand conducted a two year trial on GPS technology and has now discounted it as a replacement for existing technology because it is too unreliable,” Ms Spence said.
“New Zealand authorities concluded that GPS should only be used as a retrospective monitoring tool as there are significant risks associated with its use as an active monitoring device.
“They’ve said GPS cannot be used as a stand alone monitoring device and can only be used in limited situations in conjunction with standard electronic monitoring equipment.”
“Rob Messenger has based his calls for the use of GPS tracking equipment on the fanciful notion that offenders could be tracked everywhere they go in real time – clearly he has not done his homework.”
Ms Spence said the government’s current use of electronic monitoring equipment in conjunction with curfews and other supervision conditions is the best option available to monitor sex offenders in the community.
“The technology we use in Queensland lets surveillance officers know when an offender is not in his house during curfew.”
“This technology has worked well in recent times, with the return to secure custody of one offender who was caught breaching his supervision order when electronic monitoring equipment alerted authorities to the fact he was not at home.
“Another offender not subjected to electronic monitoring was found in the company of this man and was also later returned to secure custody for breaching his supervision order.”
“Our system is working, and no sex offenders subject to electronic monitoring have committed further sex offences, yet Mr Messenger wants to replace our very effective system with one that cannot properly monitor offenders.
“If GPS technology one day proves to be an effective tool in monitoring sex offenders then this government will consider using it, but until then Mr Messenger should listen to the experts and admit our current system is the preferred option.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287