Corrections halts release of child sex offender to Hamilton East street

Residents of a Hamilton East street were upset after a convicted child sex offender was set to be released into their neighbourhood. Photo / Greg Bowker

Hamilton East residents are celebrating after successfully stopping the release of a convicted child sex offender into their neighbourhood, following concerns over limited consultation.

After “careful consideration”, Corrections on Friday confirmed it had changed its mind and said the offender would no longer be moving to the street.

A Masons Ave resident who wished to remain anonymous told the Herald her community can finally look forward to Christmas because they don’t have to worry.

She said this change didn’t come easy, with many residents calling, emailing and having meetings to stop the offender’s impending move.

“I did a little happy dance in the supermarket when I read the message and got some strange looks from people.

“Some very, very happy people,” the resident said.

The resident said a Corrections officer began informing residents about the offender two weeks ago.

Before the final decision was made, she said the revelation had left multiple people on the street both angry and anxious about what it would mean for their children.

“There has been a lot of anger and outrage and a lot of tears,” she said.

“We have a lot of children who play in the cul-de-sac. Kids are allowed to ride their bikes up and down the street. We have a swing out on the street.”

She said Corrections told her they couldn’t give out information about the person, for privacy reasons.

“They have been handing out pamphlets to tell everyone we have got to now change the way we go about our lives.”

The woman said Corrections recommended parents talk to their children about being safe.

“They were quite rude to some people just to the point where they said ‘We can’t tell you how to parent, but you need to have a talk with your children’,” she said.

Residents of a Hamilton East street were upset after a convicted child sex offender was set to be released into their neighbourhood. Photo / 123RF

“Now we feel we have to watch the children like hawks. We can’t just let them walk to the dairy any more. We don’t know what level of offender this is.”

The woman said she wanted to know if Corrections did full checks on the neighbourhoods before deciding to place a sex offender.

“Is it just a convenience for them because someone has put their hand up to say this person can come and live with us,” she said.

When residents were initially informed, she said it felt like they didn’t have any rights.

“We have been told this is happening and we can’t change it. Instead, we should change the way our children play.”

Final decision

Corrections director for communities, partnerships and pathways Lynette Cave said the decision has been made that the previously approved address in Hamilton East will not be used.

“Following careful consideration of a range of factors including community feedback ... we will continue to monitor and manage this offender extremely closely.

“He has been compliant with all of his conditions since he was released at the end of his prison sentence at the direction of the courts,” Cave said.

Cave said before the final decision was made, 52 residences, schools and early childhood centres in the area were notified via letter drop.

The letter notified the residents that a person with convictions for sexual offending against children would be residing in the area, Cave said.

Residents were also provided with a pamphlet with information on how Corrections safely manages offenders in the community, and contact details for a staff member who can assist with any questions or concerns.

Prior to approving an address, Cave said the department assesses its suitability by looking at a range of factors, including the location of victims.

“Public safety is our top priority,” Cave said.

Cave said Corrections managed people at the direction of the courts and the New Zealand Parole Board and did not determine who was in prison and who was in the community.

The courts and the NZ Parole Board also determined what conditions they were subject to, including any requirements to not go near schools or other places children were likely to frequent.

Approximately 15,000 people are required to be released from prison each year, and a further 26,000 are managed on community-based sentences.

Cave said the department was committed to doing everything it could to ensure each person was safely reintegrated into the community.

The reality was that without a place to live in the community, people could be homeless, which would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities, Cave said.

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