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Archived Press Releases 2004 7th November 2004

Sensible Sentences just the first stage

(7th November 2004)

The Sensible Sentencing Trust believes the first step in the Trust's campaign to reduce the level of crime in New Zealand is on track.

Figures just released from the Minister of Justice show that serious offenders and career criminals are receiving stiffer penalties, and Mr Goff points to the burgeoning prison statistics as proof that the Government has got tough on crime.

But a spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust said longer or sensible sentences were always just the first step of the Trust's very comprehensive policy that would see accountability and responsibility introduced a lot earlier in the career of apprentice criminals.

Mr McVicar said the Government must now act to ensure the following procedures are put in place.

“Firstly, we now need to ensure that every crime has a consequence and is dealt with swiftly, severely and with certainty, some judges are still letting the team down and that must be rectified" said Mr McVicar.

“Secondly, the ideal of rehabilitation is a failed experiment as our extremely high recidivism rate proves, so let's forget about rehabilitation and introduce “consequences”, starting at their first crime."

“Thirdly, prison must become a place no criminal wants to return to! A new “super prison" must be built in the Central North Island; this prison should be privately managed with an incentive scheme paid on the criminals that do not return. This prison should only be for the long term recidivist career criminals to stop them contaminating young first time offenders, and should be based on the “user pays” principle with emphasis put on the inmates learning skills in self sufficiency."

We congratulate Mr Goff on a job well done so far but it is essential the momentum is followed through said Mr McVicar.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.