❓ Mr. Papalia questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding the release of a violent serial rapist, TJD, asking if GPS tracking policy influenced the release and seeking guarantees against reoffending. The Minister clarifies GPS is an additional tool, not a sole reason for release, and outlines extensive conditions imposed on the offender.
AnsweredQoN 152Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDERS —
GPS TRACKING DEVICES
152. Mr P. PAPALIA to the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer —
Several members interjected.
Mr P. PAPALIA :
This is a serious matter. I refer to the release of the violent serial rapist
TJD.
(1) Has not
this individual been released because of the minister's policy of
allowing GPS tracking of sex offenders who would otherwise be in prison?
(2) Will the
minister guarantee that this individual will not be able to reoffend now that
he has been released under the minister's GPS tracking policy?
GPS TRACKING DEVICES
152. Mr P. PAPALIA to the
Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer —
Several members interjected.
Mr P. PAPALIA :
This is a serious matter. I refer to the release of the violent serial rapist
TJD.
(1) Has not
this individual been released because of the minister's policy of
allowing GPS tracking of sex offenders who would otherwise be in prison?
(2) Will the
minister guarantee that this individual will not be able to reoffend now that
he has been released under the minister's GPS tracking policy?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
This is actually a very serious question, member for Warnbro, and I will repeat
what I said when we announced the start of the GPS tracking device rollout. It
is crystal clear that the judiciary should not, and cannot, use GPS tracking
devices as a trigger or consideration to release someone who otherwise would
not have been released. As far as this particular offender is concerned, he has
44 conditions imposed on him at the moment, covering the following categories:
reporting conditions, residential conditions, curfews, and electronic
monitoring. One out of those 44 conditions involves wearing the GPS. But he has
not been released, and should not have been released, just because we have GPS.
GPS is an additional tool to try to ensure community safety. As I said, it is a
tool. It has its limitations. I know what the limitations are, and I am happy
to discuss them at any time with anyone, as I have in the past. I know what the
asset is. I know what it can do and I know what it cannot do. But GPS tracking
is not a miracle cure. It is a tool.
This particular offender has 43
other conditions imposed upon him, by the way. They include court-requested
reporting to WA Police; programmatic and medical treatment conditions,
including hormonal anti-libidinal treatment; disclosure and exchange of
information; prevention of high-risk situations; prohibition of alcohol and
drug use; and restrictions on contact with children. A number of conditions
make up those 44. One of them is to ensure that the Department of Corrective
Services does everything it can to monitor that particular person. I had a very
lengthy conversation with Commissioner McMahon yesterday about this particular
matter. He is under the total understanding that we expect the Department of
Corrective Services to be all over this guy like a kid on a cupcake. The
decision, obviously, regarding his release was not my decision. But my job as
minister is to ensure that the department does everything possible to make sure
he sticks to those 44 conditions.
This is actually a very serious question, member for Warnbro, and I will repeat
what I said when we announced the start of the GPS tracking device rollout. It
is crystal clear that the judiciary should not, and cannot, use GPS tracking
devices as a trigger or consideration to release someone who otherwise would
not have been released. As far as this particular offender is concerned, he has
44 conditions imposed on him at the moment, covering the following categories:
reporting conditions, residential conditions, curfews, and electronic
monitoring. One out of those 44 conditions involves wearing the GPS. But he has
not been released, and should not have been released, just because we have GPS.
GPS is an additional tool to try to ensure community safety. As I said, it is a
tool. It has its limitations. I know what the limitations are, and I am happy
to discuss them at any time with anyone, as I have in the past. I know what the
asset is. I know what it can do and I know what it cannot do. But GPS tracking
is not a miracle cure. It is a tool.
This particular offender has 43
other conditions imposed upon him, by the way. They include court-requested
reporting to WA Police; programmatic and medical treatment conditions,
including hormonal anti-libidinal treatment; disclosure and exchange of
information; prevention of high-risk situations; prohibition of alcohol and
drug use; and restrictions on contact with children. A number of conditions
make up those 44. One of them is to ensure that the Department of Corrective
Services does everything it can to monitor that particular person. I had a very
lengthy conversation with Commissioner McMahon yesterday about this particular
matter. He is under the total understanding that we expect the Department of
Corrective Services to be all over this guy like a kid on a cupcake. The
decision, obviously, regarding his release was not my decision. But my job as
minister is to ensure that the department does everything possible to make sure
he sticks to those 44 conditions.
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