Source: portpirierecorder.com.au 11/16/22
A judge has criticised corrective services for leaving an elderly sex offender to choose between indefinite detention or housing without health support.
The Supreme Court of Queensland on Wednesday heard an application by the Attorney-General to have Desmond Ronald Grant, 78, released on a supervision order.
Grant has completed a five-year prison sentence for sex offences and is now physically frail and has several health conditions, including diabetes, and needs a walker to enable his limited mobility.
Justice Peter Applegarth said in his judgment it was “entirely understandable” that Grant had sought hostel-style accommodation with home care support rather than stay in prison.
The only suitable accommodation currently available for Grant was a temporary living precinct on prison grounds at Townsville designed for people due to leave custody but who are still looking for a home.
“In making those choices, (Grant’s) health may be compromised, he may suffer a serious medical episode in unsupported accommodation at a precinct,” Justice Applegarth said.
Once again, mixed feelings. This man is obviously in frail health. He needs a walker to assist with his, “Limited mobility”. How dangerous could this man possibly be? How dangerous.could it be to have him in an assisted living facility? The story indicates that his offense was directed towards a teenaged boy(s), so he’s going to what, club a 14 year old with his walker..and hope he doesn’t fall over in the process?
I am however glad to hear the words of the judge presiding over this case. This judge, unlike so many American judges, is not willing to just throw this man’s life away like garbage. Allow the State to force this man to chose between prison and a possible death sentence in housing that cannot provide the medical assistant he needs. I wonder how many American PFRs have been forced into choices like this? Forced to chose between two horrible, inhumane and potentially deadly options. How many have died as a result of this…and how many more will before this abomination dies?
I am also saddened by once again finding that the SO hysteria and the inhumane cruelty it promotes, is not limited to just the US. I know very little about Australian culture, and even less about their justice system, but this story left me with…mixed feelings.
hey thats the land down under we are talking about who has been taken over by chinese interests at least at the university level kinda like this country!
I am assuming that the dynamics involved in this Australian episode is the same as in the U.S., and that is, insurance company lawyers set the policies for rest homes, hospitals, etc. in respect to SO’s. The lawyers are ONLY concerned with liability issues, and citizens such as we are viewed by these lawyers as unacceptable “high risks” for these establishments. Without any individualized assessment, we are effectively prohibited from accessing necessary services, or even be present “to visit” relatives and loved ones. AND if the facility does not adhere to the insurance companies’ imposed policies, their premiums go up exponentially. I wish we could somehow educate these lawyers who seemingly don’t give a damn about any of us.
This kind of story makes is why I worry what will happen when I reach the point where I require assisted living. Not much available for anyone on the registry for sure, and I won’t be able to afford home health care. If my spouse goes ill or dies before me I’ll be stuck.
A judge who actually has compassion for an elderly “sex offender” released from prison? That wouldn’t happen in America. The article doesn’t say what he did exactly, but a five year sentence is a drop in the bucket compared to sex crime sentencing in America—-including no contact offenses like just looking at a picture of a minor. That could easily run a person in the 5 to 10 year range. Well, at least there’s some love down under. Whatever a person did, they still have human rights