SEX offenders who refuse treatment while in prison will be blocked from parole or remissions under a proposed state government bill.
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Behavioural therapy for jailed sex offenders is optional, but non-participation can affect their parole prospects.
Corrections Minister Vanessa Goodwin said the Corrections Amendment (Treatment of Sex Offenders) Bill 2015 would require the Parole Board to consider whether a prisoner had participated in appropriate treatment that addressed the underlying causes of their offending behaviour.
"This legislation is the first tranche of implementing our policy commitment on mandatory treatment for sex offenders in prison," Dr Goodwin said.
"We believe that if an offender refuses to participate in the programs that are offered, they should not be eligible for early release on parole or to have their sentence remitted.
"These amendments will ensure that participation in appropriate treatment must be taken into account by the Parole Board and remove eligibility for remission for offenders who refuse to participate in treatment."
The government is seeking advice from the Sentencing Advisory Council about making sex offender treatment mandatory.
Tasmanian Law Society president Matthew Verney said he had an open mind to compulsory sex offender treatment, despite being steadfastly against mandatory sentencing.
"Almost universally people say you can't have mandatory treatment for this sort of thing because people won't take it on board if they're forced to do so," he said.
"But I think that sex offenders who most need the treatment are those who are most unlikely to reach for it voluntarily. You've got to try to force their hand a little bit."
Mr Verney said improved treatment of sex offenders was clearly needed, but needed to be backed by appropriate funding.
Sexual Assault Support Service chief executive Jill Maxwell said any efforts to boost sex offender treatment programs was a positive step.
However, Ms Maxwell warned against trying to force the treatment on inmates.
"Research tells us that offenders who go through treatment voluntarily have the highest success rate," she said.
Comments on the bill will be accepted until September 18.
