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Justice with Both Eyes Open

This book is by United Future Party Law and Order Spokesman Marc Alexander. The profits from the book are being split between the Sensible Sentencing Trust and the Family Help Trust.

Justice with Both Eyes Open takes a look at the state of our criminal Justice system in New Zealand, and finds it wanting - but also acknowledges initiatives within that system that have worked, such as some of the early intervention programmes. Imprisonment and sentencing are discussed - but they are are part of the solution, not the entirety, a point of view which we share.

He emphasises the importance of early intervention in families - the most successful interventions are those that take place before the age of five! This was what was observed by case workers in Project Early, and is backed up by finding from the Family Help Trust which works in a similar age group. If rehabilitation is to be effective it needs to take place before patterns of criminal offending are fully established.

Restorative Justice is also acknowledged as having a place, but he also recognises that it is not appropriate for all offenders. A whole range of solutions is required, from increasing Police numbers as in New York to reforms of the Courts and initiatives to improve parenting. No one solution - including tougher sentences - will be the "magic bullet" by itself.

A number of offender case studies are also presented, showing where our current systems have gone wrong, including those of Stephen Williams (who murdered Coral-Ellen Burrows), William Bell (the RSA case), and Barry Ryder (repeat offending child molester). The larger culture of violence that exists within parts of our society is also examined.

One theme that runs through this book is that of empowering the victim and their family, ensuring that their rights are placed first and foremost as they should be. The philosphy that underlies this book is evident in this quote from the closing paragraph;

"If our society is to craft a social covenant that results in low crime, and a climate of openness, innovation and opportunity for all, we must prioritise and reward the needs of the lawful with a freedom that does not exist under an abundance of legislation, butin the reality of a just and civil society."

Further quotes from another review;
Marc Alexander directly confronts the failure of the rehabilitation model for those offenders who have chosen criminality as their definitive lifestyle. He dissects current thinking in a number of areas and proposes a menu of practical policies including a radically new legislative organisation of the criminal justice system that includes a Ministry of Victim's Rights

"Controversial though some of it's positions may be, it provides enough erudite observation to warrant serious consideration by all who profess an interest in the fields of crime and criminal justice"
- Greg Newbold

“This book is extraordinary. It has integrity and a wealth of well-researched material. …Anyone ever affected by criminal activity, both victim and perpetrator, will glean much from this publication. It is a riveting read, free from the knee-jerk judgements and reactions of modern media reporting.”
-Patricia Soper, Southland Times

The book is published by Hazard Press, and can be ordered direct from them at their website. The retail price is $39.95. ALL members of the Sensible Sentencing Trust qualify for a ten percent discount off the purchase of Justice with Both Eyes Open. This effectively reduces the price to $35.00 if purchased through Hazard Press.