To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to protect the public from serious sex offenders released early from non-life sentences. [15811]

The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders who have been convicted of sex offences against children and other serious sex offences to notify the police of their name and address and any changes to these details. The police will work with the Probation Service and other agencies to use this information to protect children and vulnerable people by alerting agencies and individuals of the presence of an offender in their area when appropriate. The Crime and Disorder Bill will also introduce provisions to allow for the extended supervision of sex offenders. This will enable probation services to ensure that offenders complete treatment programmes.