Kiwis Paying The Price Of Parole

Heather Roy
Tuesday, 15 August 2006
Press Releases - Crime & Justice

Proposed changes to parole announced today are an admission that parole is a failed experiment, says ACT National Security Spokesman, Heather Roy.

"We are paying the price of a culture that penalises the innocent and forgives the criminal, with around 80% of parolees reoffending within a year", Mrs Roy said.

"It's no surprise that Labour is backing away from their disastrous Sentencing and Parole Acts of 2002, but it is a disgrace that Labour's announcement also indicates shorter sentences and more criminals remaining at large in our communities.

"New emphasis on home detention is more about excusing Labour's failure to cut the number of serious offenders than doing the right thing for communities.

"Home detention is a viable option for blue collar criminals, but the most effective punishment for white collar crime is prison, because it is prison that they fear most.

"Government's first duty is to keep citizens safe. When the government cedes control then the power vacuum will be filled by thugs. Law abiding Kiwis will remain at risk because Labour has again failed to put the safety of New Zealanders first.

"I have a Bill ready to go before Parliament which would restore truth in sentencing and make criminals serve their full sentences.

"Parole leaves convicted offenders dumped on the street without proper support. Prisoners should undergo a process of re-integration while the public are kept safe from harm.

"The answers to New Zealand's crime wave are proper resourcing for the police and truth in sentencing - not parole and profit for criminals", Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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