Convicted rapist Michael John Carroll will not be allowed to walk the streets of Christchurch alone, the Corrections Department says.
Residents of a Christchurch suburb have received flyers saying that Carroll, a five-time rapist paroled in December, is living nearby.
Carroll was aged 19 when first convicted of rape. Two years later, on weekend leave from prison, he raped again.
In 1988 he was sentenced to preventive detention on three charges of rape and abduction, again committed on parole.
Carroll was forced to leave Wellington last month after a series of news reports gave his address and detailed his visits to a local brothel.
A counsellor working at the Christchurch half-way house where Carroll is claimed to reside would not confirm his presence.
It is understood that his rehabilitation programme includes psychiatric help and strict rules about his movements and access to alcohol.
Community Probation Service regional manager Warwick Duell said yesterday that rehabilitation programmes included "appropriate" security.
"Programmes work on a regime basis, whereby a person isn't allowed out without being escorted by a staff member or another programme member at the end of the programme.
"As a person shows an ability to handle outings they have less supervision," Mr Duell said. Publicity about Carroll's location would set back his rehabilitation, but there was no intention to move him to another programme.
Residents in the street where Mr Carroll is living want him to move on.
Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee said Carroll's presence in the neighbourhood was starting to change people's behaviour. People had told him they had stopped going for walks at night.
A police spokeswoman said police knew where Carroll was living but would not say whether they intended to monitor him.
- NZPA
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