CABINET TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT
Published Thursday, 01 November, 2007 at 08:31 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence is developing a range of possible changes to the current management of dangerous sex offenders, aimed at ensuring the most robust regime possible is in place.
Ms Spence said expanding community disclosure strategies and building more accommodation on prison grounds are among a range of options under consideration for managing offenders identified by the Government's Sex Offender & Dangerous Offenders Assessment Committee.
“Queensland already has the toughest regime in Australia for managing sex offenders,” Ms Spence said.
"But I believe we may be able to build on these measures.
“This is a new area of law which Queensland is pioneering.
“I am looking at new community disclosure strategies for when the courts decide to release dangerous sex offenders on supervision orders, rather than keep them indefinitely in prison as this Government would prefer.
“I will also consider the commissioning of additional housing on prison precincts to accommodate these types of offenders.
“Additionally, I will look at legislative review to limit the ability of the courts to influence the determination of sex offender housing and location.”
Ms Spence said all options will be put before Cabinet for consideration, as soon as possible.
“A collective view of the Government will then form the basis for changes to current practices,” Ms Spence said.
“The management of sex offenders under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act is one of the greatest challenges for government and the community in general.
“It is the position of this Government that we would prefer to keep these types of offenders behind bars indefinitely, but we must work within the confines of the decisions made by the courts.
“The changes we are working on for the consideration of Cabinet aim to ensure this responsibility can be met to the extent the community would expect.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said expanding community disclosure strategies and building more accommodation on prison grounds are among a range of options under consideration for managing offenders identified by the Government's Sex Offender & Dangerous Offenders Assessment Committee.
“Queensland already has the toughest regime in Australia for managing sex offenders,” Ms Spence said.
"But I believe we may be able to build on these measures.
“This is a new area of law which Queensland is pioneering.
“I am looking at new community disclosure strategies for when the courts decide to release dangerous sex offenders on supervision orders, rather than keep them indefinitely in prison as this Government would prefer.
“I will also consider the commissioning of additional housing on prison precincts to accommodate these types of offenders.
“Additionally, I will look at legislative review to limit the ability of the courts to influence the determination of sex offender housing and location.”
Ms Spence said all options will be put before Cabinet for consideration, as soon as possible.
“A collective view of the Government will then form the basis for changes to current practices,” Ms Spence said.
“The management of sex offenders under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act is one of the greatest challenges for government and the community in general.
“It is the position of this Government that we would prefer to keep these types of offenders behind bars indefinitely, but we must work within the confines of the decisions made by the courts.
“The changes we are working on for the consideration of Cabinet aim to ensure this responsibility can be met to the extent the community would expect.
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0439 673 287