New law to monitor paedophiles

By IAN LLEWELLYN

A convicted paedophile released in Palmerston North will face 10 years of supervision under laws yet to be passed by Parliament, Justice Minister Phil Goff said yesterday.

The proposed, but not yet written, bill will impose a supervision regime on high-risk sex offenders.

When passed it will be effective retrospectively to the moment it is introduced, and will cover all those who are then in prison or under supervision.

Mr Goff indicated that the Palmerston North paedophile - considered to have a high risk of reoffending - would be captured by the law as he would still be under supervision when the bill was introduced.

"This legislation would apply to anybody who is currently about to be sentenced or is currently within the prison system, on parole or under supervision at the time the bill is introduced.

"I would hope to have legislation introduced clearly before the end of this year."

The man, who cannot be named, has just completed a 10-year sentence for sexually violating a 23-month-old girl. He is under the supervision of the Corrections Department until December 5.

His release into the care of his mother in Palmerston North has caused fear and anger among residents.

Mr Goff refused to make a link between yesterday's announcement and the furore over the paedophile's release, as the timing of the law had been the subject of policy advice for some time.

There was a need to balance people's civil rights with the need to protect the community, he said.

When Parliament passes the law, the Palmerston North paedophile and others like him could be sent back to prison if they breach the terms of their supervision rules.

Mr Goff said officials still had some work to do on the bill, which would be based on Canadian and British law.

"The preferred option would be to have high-risk offenders subject to an extended supervision for up to 10 years after their release from prison," he said.

Under present law, sex offenders sentenced to preventive detention can be supervised indefinitely if they are released. The new proposal will cover sex offenders who pose an ongoing threat to children, but have been sent to prison for a limited term.

"An extended supervision regime could be imposed when there is a substantial risk of an offender committing further sexual offences against children beyond the period when supervision must ordinarily cease.

"It will also need to be likely that supervision would lessen or prevent the risk of reoffending," Mr Goff said.

He had no figures on how many people might be covered by the new law, which would be implemented by the parole services.

Mr Goff also indicated that the Government was leaning towards a sex-offender register and tighter vetting of those who worked with children.

"We also need to improve the ability of agencies to monitor sex offenders to minimise the chances of them reoffending after release. We are considering what advantages a register would provide over current information systems in New Zealand."

- NZPA

Supervision law:


* Proposed law could retrospectively impose supervision on sex offenders for up to 10 years.
* Under present law, the paedophile released in Palmerston North is bound by strict parole conditions for just six months. * The Government is considering a register of sex offenders.