New ISO system to enable stricter scrutiny of offenders

17/6/95

The Government today announced $307,000 had been allocated for the introduction of a system to enable stricter scrutiny of offenders serving their sentences in the community.

The Attorney General and Justice Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the new system of Intensive Supervision Orders (ISOs) would provide the toughest form of sentencing, short of imprisonment, for less serious crimes.

Its introduction will coincide with the abolition of prison sentences of less than three months.

The Attorney General said there was widespread public perception that some penalties handed down by the courts did not reflect the seriousness of the offence.

"Intensive Supervision Orders will provide a strictly enforced system of punishment for less serious offences, as an alternative to prison," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"Offenders will be liable to curfew control, electronic monitoring of their movements or compulsory attendance at rehabilitation programs.

"All these methods of strict supervision are options already available to the courts.

"To ensure the new system is administered properly, the Ministry of Justice will be employing seven extra full-time staff.

"ISOs are a core feature of the new Sentencing Act to be introduced in the coming year.  The orders give the courts the option for more rigorous and intensive supervision of offenders than was provided under existing probation or community service orders."

Media contact:  Diana Russell-Coote  4217777