UNITED KINGDOM
The Observer
David Smith
Sunday May 7, 2006
The Observer
The archbishop of Canterbury's adviser on child protection has caused anger by arguing that courts should consider sparing paedophiles from jail.
Janet Hind, the Church of England's first national child protection adviser, said community rehabilitation orders were a more effective way of dealing with many sex offenders.
Hind, who is married to the Bishop of Chichester, told The Observer: 'People can be reinforced in their behaviours by being with other offenders. Many sex offenders end up in prison with other sex offenders, which can encourage their offending thoughts and fantasies, whereas a good treatment and supervision programme in the community can be more helpful in the long run for the protection of children.'