New minister flags changes after sex offender’s escape and recapture

Fledgling minister Amanda Stoker has floated changes to Queensland’s system for allowing offenders in forensic disability care into the community, after the escape and capture of a man west of Brisbane.

Sex offender Denzel Dynevor, 25, was being held in government custody under a forensic disability order, which permits visits in the community.

Two officers were escorting him on a day visit to the PCYC on Griffith Road in Eastern Heights, a suburb of Ipswich, on Tuesday when he escaped about 11.20am.

On Wednesday, police revealed he was on the run and urged the public not to approach him.

They said on Thursday morning he had been found and returned to custody.

Stoker, whose disability services portfolio is responsible for Forensic Disability Services, was asked in parliament if she would release a list of community facilities her department had approved sex offenders to visit on day trips.

“I wish I could set the terms and conditions on which people who present a risk to the community are managed,” she said.

“I have sought a report from the director of Forensic Disability Services, and importantly, I asked the director to provide me with a report about any policies and procedures directed towards preventing these kinds of incidents and any improvements that will be implemented as a consequence.

“I can tell you, I’ll be carefully examining these arrangements because I want to make sure that the settings in this challenging space are compatible with our number one priority, and that is keeping Queenslanders safe no matter where they are, no matter who they are.”

Stoker was sworn in on the weekend as Queensland’s minister for families, seniors and disability services, minister for child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence.

She replaced Amanda Camm, who stepped down from the role last Friday.

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