Sex Offender Released After 14 Years in Prison Remains 'Very High Risk' Under Supervision

A sex offender with a lengthy history of sexual misconduct has been released from prison after serving 14 years, but he remains under strict supervision due to being labeled a “very high risk” to the public. Peter John Hartley, who has a criminal record spanning at least 30 years, was released in August 2023 after completing his sentence. However, he is now subject to a 10-year Extended Supervision Order (ESO), which imposes numerous restrictions on his daily life.

Hartley was sentenced in 2012 for one count of rape and 17 charges of indecency against young people, as well as one charge of making an intimate visual recording. His offenses spanned from 1997 to 2008, with six young victims identified in the case. The Parole Board described the rape as “especially humiliating,” and noted that Hartley had previously served a sentence for sexual offenses in the 1990s.

Initially, Hartley was given a preventive detention sentence, which is meant for offenders deemed too dangerous to be released. However, this was reduced to a 14-year term on appeal. Despite his release, Hartley was immediately placed under an interim supervision order by the High Court. In April 2024, he was subjected to the ESO, a legal measure used to monitor high-risk individuals post-release.

The ESO imposes strict conditions, including a 24-hour curfew for the first 12 months, electronic monitoring, and a complete ban on internet access. This is particularly significant given that Hartley used the internet to contact his victims in the past. He is also prohibited from entering or loitering near places where people under 16 gather, such as schools, parks, libraries, and churches. He must reside at an approved address in Taranaki and is required to live under close supervision.

Despite these restrictions, Hartley has continued to deny his crimes and has attempted to appeal his convictions even after his release. His appeal, which sought to challenge the original convictions, was denied by the Supreme Court in late 2023. The court ruled that the delay in filing the appeal was “inordinate” and found no evidence of a miscarriage of justice.

During a recent review by the Parole Board, it was noted that Hartley had not received adequate treatment for his harmful sexual behavior and had failed to engage in safety planning. However, the board acknowledged that he had recently begun working with a psychologist to develop a safety plan, marking the first sign of personal responsibility on his part.

“It is of fundamental significance to his safe return to the community that Mr. Hartley completes that work and develops a robust safety plan, albeit from a denier’s perspective,” the Parole Board report stated. “We accept the view that without developing his insight into his risk to children under 16 years of age in the community, his risk of re-offending will remain very high.”

Under the terms of his ESO, Hartley is under a 24-hour curfew until April 13, 2026. After that, he will be required to be at home between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM each night. He must also submit to electronic monitoring if a probation officer deems it necessary. Hartley is prohibited from consuming alcohol or non-prescription drugs and is barred from entering Wellington, Porirua, and Manawatū.

Additionally, he is not allowed to possess any device capable of accessing the internet or capturing, recording, or storing images or video without supervision. He must also disclose any intimate relationships to his probation officer.

While Hartley's case has sparked debate about the effectiveness of long-term supervision and the challenges of reforming individuals with such a deep history of offending, the legal system remains focused on ensuring public safety through stringent conditions and ongoing monitoring.