Housing security for Queensland sex offenders will be overhauled after the alleged assault of a teenage girl at a residential complex.
A 36-year-old offender was on supervised release, living at the Wacol complex southwest of Brisbane when the girl was allegedly assaulted, Queensland Correctives Services confirmed.
The man has been charged with several offences, including making child exploitation material and he has been returned to custody under the Dangerous Prisoner (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003.
“These offenders are deemed by the courts to be suitable for release to stringent supervision in the community,” Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart said on Friday.
“Sadly, however, we’re dealing with incredibly complex and challenging individuals who have committed abhorrent crimes and can be well-versed in avoiding scrutiny.
“We deeply regret that, in this instance, it appears that our best efforts were not successful in preventing the alleged offences.”
Commissioner Stewart confirmed the alleged incident was under full investigation, with extra measures considered to protect the community.
“We are also engaging with our stakeholders to see if there is more that can be done to prevent further instances,” he said.
“We’ve received a risk analysis of the contingency housing from an external agency and have a range of work already underway and planned to further improve the management of offenders – that includes upgrades to fencing, lighting and CCTV.”
“We are committed to doing everything we legally can to protect community safety, noting that these offenders are not in custody.”
The commissioner said that visitors were allowed at the precinct, but only after approval and under specific supervision.
“From time to time, obviously visitors are able to go into the precinct in order to provide either medical support for psychologists or psychiatrist support.”
“A child wouldn’t be approved to enter the premises, no.”
© AAP 2022
