Tuesday, 14 December 2004

Alexander delighted with prisoner compo moves

United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander has welcomed the introduction into Parliament today of the new prisoner compensation legislation.

“I am particularly pleased the Justice Minister has picked up three points that I have been strongly pushing for.

“These are:

1. A rigorous complaints process that decreases the possibility of compensation;

2. Victims will have access to legal aid to claim the prisoner’s compensation without regard to the victim’s financial circumstances and;

3. Since most victims don't actually want the money (since they think it’s blood money) and are scared to sue because of the offender’s gang connections, or do not want an ongoing legal connection to the offender, an organisation such as the Sensible Sentencing Trust will be able to sue for the money on their behalf.

“These are excellent moves that should go a long way towards preventing the lunacy of the taxpayer being forced to hand over large sums of money to criminals who’ve had their feelings hurt and towards redressing the balance in favour of the victims of crime,” said Mr Alexander.

ENDS

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