‘Mob mentality’ over sex offender

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/311648/’mob-mentality’-over-sex-offender

The man is being shifted to a house on the grounds of Christchurch Prison until Corrections can find him somewhere else in the Wellington region to live.

Some 400 residents had turned out to two meetings expressing concern at the decision to allow the offender on extended supervision to live in a house in Maungaraki.

Prison reform advocate and director of the Just Speak group, Katie Bruce, said the climate of fear around child sex abusers did nothing to stop re-offending.

She said offenders who had served their time needed society’s support to rehabilitate.

“They have the right to be a part of the community and live their life according to the restrictions placed upon them which in this case are extremely stringent.

“Someone who’s proven themselves for 10 years – what more can they do?