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Archived Press Releases 2006 2nd October 2006

Excuses for criminals causing escalating crime says British expert

(2nd October 2006)

A controversial British psychiatrist who says crime has escalated in direct proportion to the excuses politicians, academics and beaureaucrats have made for the perpetrators is being brought to New Zealand to offer advice and new thinking on this country's escalating child abuse and violent crime problem.

Dr Anthony Daniels, better known under his pen name Theodore Dalrymple, who has written extensively on crime and culture, education and politics believes that politicians are simply limping after a problem of their own creation.

As violent crime figures continue to defy gravity and the cost of "luxurious" new prisons with under-floor heating continue to blow the budget Theodore Dalrymple’s visit is very timely.

Probably best-known for his well-researched, thought provoking opposition to liberal policies on crime Dalrymple embarks on a ten day speaking tour next week, he will meet officials from the Law Commission, Ministry of Justice and address a political gathering in the Beehive.

The "Cradle to Jail" tour is being organized by the Sensible Sentencing Trust, Family First Lobby and For the Sake of our Children Trust; group spokesman Garth McVicar said interest in the visit has been phenomenal.

"Theodore Dalrymple has spent his life working with victims and criminals, he is a very well known author who is not scared to call a spade a spade. Escalating child abuse and violent crime is alarming all New Zealanders and we believe it is time for some creative new thinking."

Mr McVicar said that best-selling New Zealand author Allan Duff would join Theodore Dalrymple on stage at a public meeting in Napier and Green MP Sue Bradford would go head-to-head with him in a public debate to be held in Wellington.

Other public meetings are being organized in Tauranga and Auckland, anybody wanting further information can visit the web-site, www.cradletojail.org.nz

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.