This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6145678.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Call to satellite track offenders Call to satellite track offenders
(about 3 hours later)
Children's charity Barnardo's is calling on the government to use lie detector tests and satellite tracking to monitor sex offenders.Children's charity Barnardo's is calling on the government to use lie detector tests and satellite tracking to monitor sex offenders.
It claims pilot studies in the UK have shown promising results.It claims pilot studies in the UK have shown promising results.
One such trial found up to 80% of cases showed lie detector tests revealed new information about the offenders' intentions or behaviour.One such trial found up to 80% of cases showed lie detector tests revealed new information about the offenders' intentions or behaviour.
This, says Barnardo's, helps probation staff to assess better the risks they pose when they are released from jail.This, says Barnardo's, helps probation staff to assess better the risks they pose when they are released from jail.
Barnardo's make the claims in its new report, entitled A Risk Too Far? which is published on Tuesday.Barnardo's make the claims in its new report, entitled A Risk Too Far? which is published on Tuesday.
It also says such measures will be more effective than the introduction of the proposed Sarah's Law, which would allow parents to learn of registered sex offenders living in their area.It also says such measures will be more effective than the introduction of the proposed Sarah's Law, which would allow parents to learn of registered sex offenders living in their area.
This is because it believes such a law would drive sex offenders away from supervision and into hiding.This is because it believes such a law would drive sex offenders away from supervision and into hiding.
This proposed legislation is named after eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000.This proposed legislation is named after eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000.
'Radically improve''Radically improve'
Martin Narey, Chief Executive of Barnardo's, said: "Barnardo's is committed to protecting children from harm, but we feel that a Sarah's Law would offer a false comfort to parents and could put children in more, not less, danger. Barnardo's chief executive Martin Narey said: "Barnardo's is committed to protecting children from harm, but we feel that a Sarah's Law would offer a false comfort to parents and could put children in more, not less, danger.
"That said, the current arrangements for the safe supervision of dangerous offenders need to be strengthened and public confidence restored."That said, the current arrangements for the safe supervision of dangerous offenders need to be strengthened and public confidence restored.
"Our report outlines how the use of polygraphs and satellite tracking could radically improve the effectiveness of supervision."Our report outlines how the use of polygraphs and satellite tracking could radically improve the effectiveness of supervision.
"All the indications are that polygraphs can be effective in helping control behaviour."All the indications are that polygraphs can be effective in helping control behaviour.
"I have personally seen their use on sex offenders, spoken to the probation staff who have used this technology in a pilot [study] in the North East, and been impressed by the officers' conviction that it significantly improves the rigour of supervision.""I have personally seen their use on sex offenders, spoken to the probation staff who have used this technology in a pilot [study] in the North East, and been impressed by the officers' conviction that it significantly improves the rigour of supervision."
Nacro, the crime reduction charity, said it welcomed the Barnardo's report.
All the indications are that polygraphs can be effective in helping control behaviour. Martin Narey, Barnardo's chief executive
Paul Cavadino, chief executive of Nacro, said: "Introducing a Sarah's Law would increase the risk to children, not reduce it.
"Sex offenders would be more likely to move around, change their names and go underground to avoid being identified.
"This would make it harder to supervise them in treatment programmes.
"Increasing resources for the supervision of sex offenders would protect the public far better than a new law which would undoubtedly damage child protection."
A recent Panorama programme found that paedophiles staying at bail hostels were able to gain access to children, prompting the Home Secretary, John Reid, to order a review into the allegations.A recent Panorama programme found that paedophiles staying at bail hostels were able to gain access to children, prompting the Home Secretary, John Reid, to order a review into the allegations.