Richard Worth National Justice Spokesman

12 November 2003

Full supervision of sex offenders unrealistic

National's Justice spokesman Richard Worth is labelling the Parole (Extended Supervision) and Sentencing Amendment Bill "completely unworkable and utterly unrealistic."

"The Corrections Department has admitted that it doesn't have the resources to provide 24-hour supervision of repeat sex offenders," says Mr Worth.

"Recent cases show it is impossible for Corrections staff to supervise the activities of one convicted paedophile for a few weeks. It is impossible to contemplate supervising multiple paedophiles for periods of up to ten years.

"And the cost of this exercise is mind-boggling.

"The fact is repeat child sex offenders should not be released from jail. They are an unacceptable danger in the community and should not be out.

"When National becomes Government, we will review this proposed legislation with a particular focus on tightening the laws around parole and early release," says Mr Worth.

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