Lie detector 'will protect public' from paedophiles
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sex offenders will be forced to take lie detector tests to assess what danger they pose to the public under a pilot scheme announced yesterday by the Ministry of Justice.
Children's and crime reduction charities welcomed testing of paedophiles and sex offenders. They said it would increase confidence in the probation system. The pilot scheme will begin in April and run for three years.
In trials, nearly 80 per cent of those who volunteered for the 90-minute polygraph test made admissions. But information revealed in a test cannot be used as evidence against an offender.
Martin Narey, chief executive of the charity Barnardo's, said: "This has the potential significantly to increase public confidence that sex offenders are complying with supervision." Paul Cavadino, of the crime reduction charity Nacro, said: "Active sex offenders are often plausible and devious and this method of checking their stories should help to improve the effectiveness of probation supervision."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments