New secure prison accommodation to house sex offenders
Published Wednesday, 03 December, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence told State Parliament today that two new prison reserve sites will be established in Townsville and Rockhampton to house sex offenders.
Ms Spence said: “Queensland is leading the way in the responsible management of sex offenders in the community.
“The Queensland Government has introduced the toughest legislation in the country, along with a comprehensive electronic monitoring and surveillance system, a public disclosure program and a focus on providing programs to prevent recidivism.
“There are currently 39 offenders being managed in the community under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act (2003).
“However, one of the major problems is finding suitable places for sex offenders to live.
“At the moment, 15 of these offenders are accommodated at the seven houses on the Wacol precinct – but Wacol cannot remain the only option.
“In this year’s Budget we allocated $650,000 to develop a range of secure housing at the Townsville Prison reserve and the Rockhampton Prison reserve, similar to that at Wacol.
“Prison reserves are by far the best option to house offenders, because of their security levels and provision of rehabilitation programs.“
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government has taken strong action to protect the people of Queensland, by providing additional secure housing for offenders who have been unable to source suitable accommodation or are unsuitable to be placed in the community.
“At Townsville, we are relocating two existing houses on the reserve, which will be used to accommodate offenders on a temporary basis. The houses will be fenced, CCTV cameras installed, and will support the use of electronic monitoring equipment.
“At Rockhampton, we will be relocating a suitable three bedroom house, which will be fenced with CCTV surveillance back to the dog squad a few hundred metres from the house site.
“Priority for these new accommodation sites will be given to offenders who have existing supports or family supports within the region.
“Any offender placed in this accommodation will be subject to intensive supervision and surveillance and be required to undergo treatment to address their offending behaviour.”
Ms Spence said the issue of finding suitable housing for sex offenders is a complex matter.
“At the end of the day, if the Courts decide that an offender is to be released and supervised in the community under a Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act order, then accommodation has to be found.
“Community safety has always been and continues to be the top priority.
“These reserves play an important role in that they enable certain offenders to remain at the accommodation for an extended period of time to receive treatment and demonstrate compliance before transitioning to the community.”
Media Contact: 3239 6203
Ms Spence said: “Queensland is leading the way in the responsible management of sex offenders in the community.
“The Queensland Government has introduced the toughest legislation in the country, along with a comprehensive electronic monitoring and surveillance system, a public disclosure program and a focus on providing programs to prevent recidivism.
“There are currently 39 offenders being managed in the community under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act (2003).
“However, one of the major problems is finding suitable places for sex offenders to live.
“At the moment, 15 of these offenders are accommodated at the seven houses on the Wacol precinct – but Wacol cannot remain the only option.
“In this year’s Budget we allocated $650,000 to develop a range of secure housing at the Townsville Prison reserve and the Rockhampton Prison reserve, similar to that at Wacol.
“Prison reserves are by far the best option to house offenders, because of their security levels and provision of rehabilitation programs.“
Ms Spence said the Bligh Government has taken strong action to protect the people of Queensland, by providing additional secure housing for offenders who have been unable to source suitable accommodation or are unsuitable to be placed in the community.
“At Townsville, we are relocating two existing houses on the reserve, which will be used to accommodate offenders on a temporary basis. The houses will be fenced, CCTV cameras installed, and will support the use of electronic monitoring equipment.
“At Rockhampton, we will be relocating a suitable three bedroom house, which will be fenced with CCTV surveillance back to the dog squad a few hundred metres from the house site.
“Priority for these new accommodation sites will be given to offenders who have existing supports or family supports within the region.
“Any offender placed in this accommodation will be subject to intensive supervision and surveillance and be required to undergo treatment to address their offending behaviour.”
Ms Spence said the issue of finding suitable housing for sex offenders is a complex matter.
“At the end of the day, if the Courts decide that an offender is to be released and supervised in the community under a Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act order, then accommodation has to be found.
“Community safety has always been and continues to be the top priority.
“These reserves play an important role in that they enable certain offenders to remain at the accommodation for an extended period of time to receive treatment and demonstrate compliance before transitioning to the community.”
Media Contact: 3239 6203