escalating violence in our community Become a member of the Sensible Sentencing Trust

Mouseover links for full page descriptions

Archived Press Releases 2007 7th November 2007

Cash cow for criminals – nothing for victims

(7th November 2007)

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is livid that criminals are still walking away with thousands of dollars in compensation while victim’s claims languish in the Courts.

Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said that figures just released show the Governments Prisoner and Victims Claims Bill was a dismal failure.

"The Government promised that this Law would restrict compensation to criminals and give the opportunity for victims to claim it from their offender. We told them victims wouldn’t have a bar of it, so far only one victim has made a claim – for $9,500, while criminals have walked away with thousands."

"This makes a total mockery of this pathetic law – as we see it the Government now have two choices – terminate compensation to criminals or pay all compensation into a victim’s reparation fund, available to all victims."

Mr McVicar said Susan Couch was still waiting for the Courts to decide if she would be awarded compensation after William Bell breached his parole conditions and killed three people. His violent rampage left Miss Couch with such horrific injuries she was not expected to survive.

"Susan did survive but is severely disabled – but the Government isn’t stepping forward to offer her compensation – yet they appear to be happy to see criminals walk away with thousands."

"Tai Hobson’s wife was murdered by Bell but he has been denied the opportunity to sue for compensation and his claim for an ex-gratia payment seems to be in the too-hard basket."

Mr McVicar said with current Government policy paying compensation to criminals while screwing the victims it was no wonder New Zealand’s prisons were overflowing with queues waiting to get in and thousands more serving community sentences.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.