Freed paedophile high risk, Parole Board says

A paedophile has been freed from prison despite a Parole Board ruling that he remains a long-term risk.

The man, whose name is suppressed to protect his victims, was released on July 19, on completion of a 14 year three month sentence for sexual offending against children.

No details of where he would be living once released were revealed.

The board said it had placed the man, who said he was blind, under an extended 10-year supervision order.

It expected Corrections Department staff to provide him with proper supervision to prevent his condition deteriorating further and risk sexual reoffending.

The man had refused to attend a parole board hearing or record his reason for non-appearance in writing.

He had also refused to cooperate with psychologists, denied he had committed any offences, and had not taken any treatment to prevent further offending.

"The reasonable expectation, therefore, is his risk will remain the same over the long-term," the board said.

"That risk particularly impacts against children and adolescents under the age of 16 likely to be of either gender and known to him."

Risk factors listed by the board included the duration and extent of his offending, the youth and mixed gender of his victims, his inability to control sexual impulses, propensity for distorted and deviant sexual arousal, and continued predilection and proclivity for sexual offending.

Others were his consistent denial and lack of responsibility for offending, lack of remorse and empathy, lack of motivation to engage in treatment for sexual offending, lack of knowledge regarding relapse prevention strategies, and hostility and suspicion towards others.

He also had maintained like-minded criminal associates.

The board ruled the offender's victims, both present and potential, were entitled to know his location and movements.

Out of bounds are schools, pre-schools, parks and recreational areas catering to children, unless under the constant supervision of an approved adult approved by a probation officer.

He must not travel without the written approval of the probation service, who will also govern his access to the internet, and police his contact with anyone under 16.

He also must attend alcohol and drug abuse assessment, and relapse prevention counselling.

- NZPA