Media Release: EXTENDED SUPERVISION SCHEME TO APPLY TO MORE SEX OFFENDERS

FROM THE MINISTER FOR CORRECTIONS

DATE: Thursday, May 29, 2008

EXTENDED SUPERVISION SCHEME TO APPLY TO MORE SEX OFFENDERS

Sex offenders who have committed crimes against adults and who have served their sentences will be subject to stricter monitoring after legislation passed through Parliament late last night.

Corrections Minister Bob Cameron said the extended supervision scheme previously only applied to sex offenders with child victims but now those with adult victims would also be included.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to make our streets safer with some of the toughest sex offender laws in the country including the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005, the sex offender registration scheme and working with children checks,” Mr Cameron said.

“These new laws will ensure high-risk sex offenders with adult victims can be supervised post-sentence with limitations on where they can live and requirements such as constant electronic monitoring.”

Under the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act, the Secretary of the Department of Justice may apply to the County or Supreme Court for a supervision order where a sex offender is assessed as posing a serious risk to the community of re-offending.

The Court is empowered to make the order if it is satisfied the offender is likely to re-offend. The Adult Parole Board is then responsible for setting the conditions of each order, and for supervising the offender’s progress.

Mr Cameron said each order contained a number of core conditions, including requirements the offender:
· Reports for the purpose of supervision or monitoring;
· Receives visits from authorities, also for the purpose of supervision or monitoring;
· Does not move house or travel interstate without permission; and
· Undergoes as directed, treatment and rehabilitation.

The Adult Parole Board can also set further conditions on the offender including:
· Restricting where the offender may reside;
· Restricting the type of employment the offender may engage in;
· Prohibiting the offender from having contact with certain persons including children;
· Imposing curfews;
· Requiring that the offender subject him or herself to electronic monitoring (similar to the system used as part of the Government’s home detention scheme); and
· A requirement the offender attend and participate in treatment or rehabilitation programs.

Mr Cameron said the Brumby Government would further strengthen sex offender laws as announced in the annual Statement of Government Intent and the new scheme would draw on recommendations by the Sentencing Advisory Council in its final report to Government in July 2007, High-Risk Offenders: Post-Sentence Supervision and Detention.