CABINET ENDORSES CHEMICAL CASTRATION FOR SEX OFFENDERS
Published Tuesday, 24 June, 2008 at 12:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Cabinet has endorsed the use of voluntary use of chemical castration on dangerous sex offenders as part of the review of the Queensland preventative detention regime.
Premier Anna Bligh and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said that chemical castration will be applicable in situations where chemical castration is recommended by a psychiatrist and consented to by the offender.
“All the research indicates that chemical intervention only works if it’s done as part of the overall treatment of a sex offender. This includes psychiatric counselling and the consent of the offender.
“Forcing sex offenders to take anti libidinals does not work.”
Ms Bligh said the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act will also be amended to make supervision orders for released sex offenders a maximum of five years at a time.
“In some cases the Supreme Court is imposing 20 year supervision orders instead of keeping sex offenders in prison,” she said.
“For constitutional reasons the legislation must retain an option that offenders may be released under supervision.
“If an offender requires a supervision order of more than five years then the Government’s view is they should not be released in the first place.
“However, the Attorney General will have the power to seek further five year supervision orders if that is required.”
Ms Spence said the Act would also be amended so that a dangerous prisoner on a continuing detention order would have that reviewed every two years instead of annually.
“This is just part of the toughest regime in Australia. If a court decides you are too dangerous to be released then that decision should stand for at least two years,” Ms Spence said.
“The amendments will also give the Government greater power to impose certain conditions on offenders.
“For instance at present the Court can determine where a released offender lives but the amendments will give this option to Corrective Services.
“It will also give Corrective Services the option of banning alcohol consumption.”
Ms Spence said the use of indefinite sentencing will be strengthened at the time of sentencing rather than at the time offenders are approaching release.
“The threshold test for indefinite sentences will be lowered,” she said.
“At present offenders are only considered for indefinite sentences if the maximum penalty for their offence is life.
“This will be lowered to 10 years. In other words if their offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years or more they can be considered for an indefinite sentence.
“This will apply to violent offenders as well as sex offenders.”
Ms Spence said the DPSOA amendments will respond to victims’ concerns.
“We will spell out that victims have a choice on whether they supply a statement to DPSOA hearings and no negative inference can be drawn if they choose not to participate.
“We will also prevent sex offenders from changing their name,” Ms Spence said.
24 June, 2008
Further inquiries: (07) 3224 4500
Premier Anna Bligh and Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said that chemical castration will be applicable in situations where chemical castration is recommended by a psychiatrist and consented to by the offender.
“All the research indicates that chemical intervention only works if it’s done as part of the overall treatment of a sex offender. This includes psychiatric counselling and the consent of the offender.
“Forcing sex offenders to take anti libidinals does not work.”
Ms Bligh said the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act will also be amended to make supervision orders for released sex offenders a maximum of five years at a time.
“In some cases the Supreme Court is imposing 20 year supervision orders instead of keeping sex offenders in prison,” she said.
“For constitutional reasons the legislation must retain an option that offenders may be released under supervision.
“If an offender requires a supervision order of more than five years then the Government’s view is they should not be released in the first place.
“However, the Attorney General will have the power to seek further five year supervision orders if that is required.”
Ms Spence said the Act would also be amended so that a dangerous prisoner on a continuing detention order would have that reviewed every two years instead of annually.
“This is just part of the toughest regime in Australia. If a court decides you are too dangerous to be released then that decision should stand for at least two years,” Ms Spence said.
“The amendments will also give the Government greater power to impose certain conditions on offenders.
“For instance at present the Court can determine where a released offender lives but the amendments will give this option to Corrective Services.
“It will also give Corrective Services the option of banning alcohol consumption.”
Ms Spence said the use of indefinite sentencing will be strengthened at the time of sentencing rather than at the time offenders are approaching release.
“The threshold test for indefinite sentences will be lowered,” she said.
“At present offenders are only considered for indefinite sentences if the maximum penalty for their offence is life.
“This will be lowered to 10 years. In other words if their offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years or more they can be considered for an indefinite sentence.
“This will apply to violent offenders as well as sex offenders.”
Ms Spence said the DPSOA amendments will respond to victims’ concerns.
“We will spell out that victims have a choice on whether they supply a statement to DPSOA hearings and no negative inference can be drawn if they choose not to participate.
“We will also prevent sex offenders from changing their name,” Ms Spence said.
24 June, 2008
Further inquiries: (07) 3224 4500