XN000022-1980-04-17 — Page 2

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1980

AFTERCARE SUPERVISION SCHEME FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS PROPOSED

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A BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF CERTAIN YOUNG OFFENDERS DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD AFTER THEIR RELEASE WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR SECOND READING.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, SAID EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT OFFENDERS WERE MOST LIKELY TO REVERT TO CRIME IN THE PERIOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE, WHEN THEY MIGHT RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THEIR FORMER CRIMINAL ASSOCIATES.

+EXISTING SCHEMES FOR THE AFTERCARE AND SUPERVISION OF FORMER INMATES OF DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES, DETENTION CENTRES AND TRAINING CENTRES HAVE PROVED TO BE A USEFUL AID TO THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD FOLLOWING RELEASE,+ MR DAVIES SAID.

THEREFORE, HE SAID, IT IS PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE A SIMILAR SCHEME OF SUPERVISION GÉNERALLY FOR 12 MONTHS FOR PERSONS WHO, BEFORE THE IR 21ST BIRTHDAY, ARE SENTENCED TO SERVE A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF THREE MONTHS OR MORE AND ARE RELEASED FROM PRISON BEFORE THE AGE OF 25.

THE BILL MAKES THE ISSUE OF A SUPERVISION ORDER BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS MANDATORY, THOUGH IT SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER TO CANCEL OR VARY THE TERMS OF THE ORDER IF HE SHOULD SO DESIRE.

AS A GENERAL RULE, PERSONS WHO ARE THE SUBJECT OF A SUPERVISION ORDER WILL BE REQUIRED.

* TO INFORM THE AFTERCARE OFFICER OF CHANGES IN

RESIDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT ADDRESSES-

* TO LEAD AN HONEST LIFE AND REFRAIN FROM ASSOCIATING

WITH KNOWN BAD CHARACTERS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES-

* TO SEE THE AFTERCARE OFFICER AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH- AND

* TO OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE AFTERCARE OFFICER.

MR DAVIES SAID FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE TERMS OF THE ORDER WOULD RENDER THE PERSON LIABLE TO RECALL TO PRISON TO SERVE ANY PERIOD OF REMISSION OF SENTENCE EARNED DURING THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE.

+ IN ADDITION, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF A SUPERVISION ORDER WOULD IN ITSELF BE AN OFFENCE CARRYING A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $5 000 FINE AND 12 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT, MR DAVIES SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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