Government Delays Dealing With Sex Offenders

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has accused the Government of failing to act over recidivist offender Barry Allan Ryder.

“The Government has had in its possession since 1999 alternative models for managing sex offenders and protecting the community yet Ryder still managed to re-offend,” said Mr Mark.

“It is time Labour ministers stopped blaming everything on previous Governments and accept that they are responsible, in this case, due to their own procrastination since 1999.

“This morning on Morning Report, Alison Thom, a specialist on the treatment of sex offenders, said she had presented the Government four years ago with sound models to treat sex offenders. These were based on successful United Kingdom programmes. She is dismayed that the Government has done nothing to action any of her suggestions.

“Unless the Government starts listening to experts and takes action we are going to have a society at risk from offenders like Ryder.

“The buck stops with Helen Clark and her ministers,” said Mr Mark.

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