Delays in treatment for sex offenders

The BBC reports on delays in treatment for sex offenders in England and Wales. Apparently these delays are “unacceptably long”. 

The treatment of sex offenders has long been a problem, however the system of restriction and rehabilitation of offenders appears to be working well. Sex offenders who are released from prison are monitored by special teams of probation and police officers who work out how to protect the public and decrease the chances of the individual reoffending.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 deals with notification and registration requirements for sex offenders. Section 80 to 92 re-enact with amendments, Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, which established a requirement on sex offenders to notify certain personal details to the police. Sections 80 to 81 set out the persons who are required to comply, and Schedule 3 of the Act sets out a list of offences under previous and present legislation where an offender will be required to notify.