Tony Ryall MP
National Law & Order spokesman 22 June 2004

40% of violent inmates serving at least third term

Nearly 40% of all inmates jailed for violent offences are serving at least their third term of imprisonment, according to Corrections Department figures.

The figures show that of 2,958 inmates in jail for violent and sexual offences, 1,103, or 37%, have served at least two other stretches behind bars.

National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall, today released the figures contained in a response to written parliamentary questions.

"This is more evidence why the justice system must change to target repeat offenders.

"Most of these inmates will have reoffended while on parole. As I have said before, rehabilitation doesn't stop them, parole doesn't stop them. The only thing that does is a long stint in prison.

"Surely, after three or four stretches in prison, these people have surrendered their right to early parole.

"These violent offenders are career criminals of the worst type. They are in prison for very serious offences, and the best way to protect the public is to keep them out of circulation.

"Under National, career criminals will get longer sentences, they won't get bail, and they won't get early parole.

"Under Labour, these offenders can apply for parole after one third of their sentence and be back on the street," says Mr Ryall.

Ends

Attached: Table showing terms of imprisonment

Table 1:
Number of previous terms of imprisonment for violent inmates, as at 20 November 2003

No. of terms of imprisonment No. of offenders % of offenders
0 1426 48.2%
1 429 14.5%
2 - 5 722 24.4%
6 - 10 277 9.4%
11 - 20 101 3.4%
21 - 30 3 0.1%
Total 2958 100.00%

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