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Extended Supervision

Extended Supervision Orders (ESOs) are now available as a result of measures introduced under the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005. The legislation is a response to the community’s need for protection of the vulnerable in regard to sex offenders whose jail sentences have expired, but are considered at high risk of re-offending. In some high profile cases these offenders are unresponsive to, or have refused to participate in sex offender treatment programs, have expressed no remorse over their offences, and are unwilling to recognise that their behaviour is criminal in any way.

How these serious offenders should be dealt with poses an enormous challenge to our society. Those involved in the political, legal and corrections professions recognise that the responsibility for the protection of vulnerable Victorians, particularly the young, must be a priority. It is with this goal in mind that stringent measures may be applied under an ESO.

The court can impose an ESO for a period of up to 15 years. An offender who is subject to an ESO remains in the community under the strict supervision of the Adult Parole Board and the Secretary to the Department of Justice.

An ESO includes a number of strict core conditions, including requirements to attend for supervision, monitoring or assessment as directed, a prohibition on changing address without approval, and a requirement to notify of any change in employment.

The Adult Parole Board may impose a number of additional rigorous conditions on offenders under an ESO, including:

• electronic monitoring, ensuring that the offender observes curfew
• control of where the offender resides
• refusal of access to the internet
• being accompanied by Corrections Victoria staff when leaving the offender’s residence
• prohibitions on contact with children
• 'no go' zones that the offender is not permitted to enter.