In Queensland Pedophiles to Wear GPS Trackers
The Queensland government will fit GPS trackers initially to 67 convicted pedophiles starting next year so their whereabouts can be monitored 24/7.
Corrective Services Minister Neil Roberts said the device worn on the wrist is being introduced to replace electronic monitoring of sex offenders and their physical movements away from home or after hours, according to Courier-Mail.
About 53 pedophiles were able to breach the electronic monitoring of their conditions in May after their release from custody. One even had the chance to snatch a victim from a skate park.
But the GPS trackers from supplier Abakus Elmotech were successfully tested by 30 staff from the Department of Corrective Services in August. The week-long test involved tracking tagged volunteers who went to the beach, the gym, up mountain ranges and through tunnels.
The vigilance of Corrective Services staff will still be necessary for the new technology to be efficient, according to Roberts.
The first batch of convicted pedophiles who will wear the GPS trackers include serial pedophile Raymond Yeo, 66, who was released in July and Douglas Brian Jackway, 32, who is due to be released from the Brisbane Correctional Centre at Wacol in February. Jackway was jailed for raping a nine-year-old girl in 1995.
"All sex offenders fitted with GPS will be tracked on a 24/7 basis, with a specialist surveillance team working around the clock to monitor their movements," Roberts said, according to Courier-Mail.