More Perverts To Be Released Earlier

Monday 14 Jun 2004

Stephen Franks - Press Releases - Crime & Justice

The Justice & Electoral Select Committee's changes to the Parole (Extended Supervision) and Sentencing Amendment Bill will allow the Government to let more paedophiles out of prison even earlier than it already does, ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today.

"The proposed new clause, Section 15A (i)(c), authorises electronic monitoring where it is `necessary in order to provide the supervision required to ensure that the offender does not pose an undue risk to the community or any person or class of persons'," Mr Franks said.

"Currently, the rule is simple: if they pose an `undue risk', they can't get parole. The new provision will now allow release, provided offenders wear an electronic bracelet. The Government argues that the new provision will work because the bracelet can tell the authorities where the offender is.

"Knowing where the offender is did nothing to stop Lloyd Alexander McIntosh's sexual activity in Palmerston North last year. The authorities knew exactly where he was - his guard was standing outside the bedroom door, worrying about whether or not to intervene.

"This Bill is like most Labour measures on crime - half-hearted, and more concerned about the criminogenic needs of the criminals than the interests of the community.

"ACT will also vote against it because it breaches the fundamental principle against retrospectivity. It breaches that principle, instead of authorising police to warn the community when a pervert settles in an area. Offenders' privacy has been put ahead of the principle that law must not be retrospective," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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