Post-jail scheme to keep Victorians safe

A new watchdog set up to monitor the worst sex offenders in Victoria will be extended later this year to include high risk violent criminals.

The newly established Post Sentence Authority aims to make Victorians safer and monitor the state’s worst criminals in a post-jail environment.

Former chief magistrate and state coroner Judge Ian Gray heads up the new body.

The authority includes offenders on ongoing detention and supervision orders, who previously came under responsibility of the Adult Parole Board.

In an in-depth interview with Neil Mitchell, he explained the role of the authority established following the overhaul of the parole system.

“The structure of the new system is intended to make Victoria safer, by ensuring there is much, much lower risk of an offender evading his or her requirements under supervision, not complying because of the level and intensity of the scrutiny is being ramped up,” Mr Gray said.

“It’s possibly fair to say that everything that can be done is now being done to closely, effectively monitor and manage this group” – Mr Gray

“The authority monitors these people and is watching closely, very closely, what is being done day to day and with person to person the particular arrangements applicable to them.

“That’s a level of scrutiny and monitoring which has taken the system to a better level.”

Click PLAY to hear the full interview