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Archived Press Releases 2004 26th August 2004

Harsher Penalties working say Trust

(26th August 2004)

The latest drop in the rate of crime is proof that harsher penalties are working and should shut the critics up, says the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Crime figures released recently record a fall of 4.7 percent nationally and bring reported crime back to levels not seen since 1983, and the Sensible Sentencing Trust believes this proves beyond doubt that policies of "accountability and responsibility" are working.

The Trust National spokesman said it is no coincidence that the drop in crime runs parallel with the increase in the prison population .

"Our opponents have said that harsher penalties don't work, but this proves beyond doubt they do" said Mr McVicar.

While nobody in their right mind wants more people in prison, it was just common sense that the starting point to reduce crime had to be a "price for every crime" he said. We still have a lot of work to do but the downward trend is definitely proof that punishment works.

Mr McVicar said the NZ police have done a great job but there is still considerable work to be done in the political area surrounding parole and with some judges bucking the trend and imposing pathetic sentences the Trust will now start to focus their efforts in that area.

The mood in this country is such now that any judge not listening to their community is totally out of step and we will turn the heat up in that area.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.