Freed sex fiends defy orders
Nine dangerous sex offenders being supervised in the community last year committed more than 50 breaches of the conditions of the court-imposed orders which granted them their freedom.
Department of Corrective Services statistics reveal nine of the paedophiles and rapists on supervision orders after being deemed dangerous sex offenders faced a total of 53 charges last year. There were 25 fines, 11 supervision orders rescinded and replaced with detention, 10 jail terms, four suspended jail terms and three intensive supervision orders imposed as penalties for the offences.
So far this year, five of the 23 offenders on supervision orders have been charged with 18 breaches.
These contraventions led to 13 jail terms and five fines.
Under laws introduced in 2006, repeat paedophiles and rapists deemed by the Supreme Court to be dangerous sex offenders can be held in jail indefinitely or released on supervision orders that include conditions to adequately protect the community.
Last year, there were about 20 dangerous sex offenders being monitored in the community.
This week, there were 17 dangerous sex offenders being held in jail indefinitely and 23 on supervision orders. Of the 23, four were back in custody either serving jail terms for non-sexual offences or after facing breach allegations.
Debate over the dangerous sex offender laws erupted two weeks ago after a repeat rapist known as "TJD" was released from indefinite detention on a supervision order that included 44 conditions.
Community and political concern about the release of TJD, who was alleged to have breached his order within days by failing to take a diary to a meeting, prompted Attorney-General Michael Mischin to order a review of the dangerous sex offender laws.
In response to the department statistics, Mr Mischin said breaches of supervision orders would be considered as part of the review of the legislation.
But shadow attorney-general John Quigley said the department's figures gave lie to the Government's assurances that dangerous sex offenders who breached the conditions of supervision orders would face significant consequences.
