Neighbours alarmed about straying parolees
QUEENSLAND Corrective Services officers are working with parolees living at a boarding house in Bungalow following complaints of trespassing from neighbours.
Residents living near the property have repeatedly called police in recent weeks about people straying into their yards, on some occasions while wearing GPS-tracking ankle bracelets.
A QCS spokesman said the property was a low-cost boarding house.
“This property is not a state run or owned facility, and it is not solely for parolees,” he said.
“We do have some parolees living there, just as they are living elsewhere in the community around the state.
“They are housed under private rental arrangements.
“QCS are engaging with the parolees housed at that accommodation raise the community concerns and remind them of their obligations.”
QCS manages more than 20,000 parolees across Queensland, and as long as they abide by the law and their orders they can move freely.
“GPS trackers provide our officers with an additional tool to manage parolees,” the spokesman said.
“We only have two parolees with GPS trackers living in that area.
“We use the information to ensure the parolee is abiding by the terms of their parole – not breaching curfews, for instance.”
Cairns MP Michael Healy said concerns about behaviour should be directed to the proper authorities.
“If you’ve got anybody living around you and they’re breaking the law, the expectation is that you’ll notify police,” he said.
“This is about giving people another go – I understand people’s concerns, but at the end of the day we have to have some faith in the system.”