Tony Ryall
National's Justice Spokesman

10 June 2000

Home comforts for rapists

Matt Robson has yet again shown how completely out of touch he is with New Zealanders with his latest proposal to allow rapists home detention, says National's Justice spokesman Tony Ryall.

"Once again he is putting the rights of the criminal before the rights of the victim and the community.

"Rapists often prey on victims in their own neighbourhood. To allow a rapist to serve their punishment in the comfort of their own home while their victim lives in fear only a few doors down is appalling.

"Mr Robson's latest policy announcement comes only two weeks after his sex in prisons and toddlers behind bars policy. He still remains unrepentant about those policies even after his Cabinet colleagues dismissed them as 'musings'. It is interesting that he has timed his announcement when Justice Minister Phil Goff is out of the country.

"Home detention serves its purpose for non-violent offenders but there is no way this should be extended to serious violent offenders.

"Hopefully the Prime Minister will step in within the next 24 hours and put the kibosh on this one," Mr Ryall said.

Ends

© Scoop Media