Surge in sex offenders in South Australia adds to prison burden

THE number of sex offenders in the state’s overburdened prison system has risen almost 40 per cent in the past year.

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THE number of sex offenders in the state’s overburdened prison system has risen almost 40 per cent in the past year.

There are now 317 sex offenders in custody, compared with 231 at the same time last year.

A spokesman said the Corrections Department was working hard to deal with the increasing number of incarcerated sex offenders, many of who require protective custody.

In December, Correctional Services’ 2014-15 annual report revealed prisoner numbers almost outstripped capacity, with an average of just two beds spare each day.

“The department’s team includes forensic psychologists who specialise in the assessment of risk and need across the sentenced prisoner population including the specialist assessment of persons convicted of sex offences,” he said.

“Additional resources have been employed in this area as a result of the growth experienced.

“We also have dedicated resources that are involved in assessing these prisoners in terms of the risk they pose with regard to further offending and the intervention needs to address offending behaviour.

High-profile sex-offender inmates in protective custody include Dieter Pfennig, who allegedly killed schoolgirl Louise Bell in 1983, paedophile magistrate Peter Liddy, and Families SA child sex abuser Shannon McCoole.

Shannon McCoole in custody. Pic Mark Brake

Dieter Pfennig speaking to police.

The spokesman said the department had “delivered additional prison accommodation across the system and this has included increasing capacity in prisons whose role and function is to accommodate prisoners who require a level of protective custody”.

An offender’s name is recorded on the Australian National Child Offender Registry when they are sentenced by a court for a child-related sex offence, or a judge makes an order they be put on the list and be subject to its conditions.

Pending on the gravity of the offence, child-sex criminals are placed on the registry from eight years to life.

Conditions vary, but involve regular reporting to authorities of any changes of address, the offenders residence and their work and club associations.

Breaches of the conditions of the registry draw penalties up to two years jail or $10,000.

Senior lecturer of forensic psychology at the University of Adelaide Dr Michael Proeve said it was likely a rise in internet-driven child exploitation was behind the sex-offender boom.

“For internet sex offences, the prosecution rate is huge as the police can obtain incontrovertible proof,” he said.

He said that although recidivism by offenders convicted of internet child exploitation crimes was relatively low, the rise in the prominence of the online deviants was encouraging more crimes against children.

Child protection expert Freda Briggs said parents should ensure their children are being taught the State Government’s “Keeping Safe” child protection curriculum at their schools.

“If your child’s school isn’t using it, ask why,” she said.

“Parents should also be finding out what is being taught, why and most importantly, how they can reinforce safety concepts at home.”