Media Release

31 August 2006

Mark Calls For Consecutive Sentencing

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has called for an end to concurrent sentences for serious offenders. His comments came after a remark allegedly made by the man charged with the murder of Liam Ashley that he had one murder charge already.

“Whether that dreadful ‘boast’ is true or not, it draws attention to the fact that those committing multiple serious crimes should be made to face the full consequences of their actions, and that means consecutive sentences. Evidence shows that many people commit further crimes in the near-sure knowledge that any sentences will be served concurrently.

“There are many prisoners convicted of multiple offences who have been sentenced to decades or more in total, yet they will be out of prison with just a few years served because those sentences will be served concurrently.

”While the government is looking at effective interventions, and the way in which people are sentenced and paroled, they need to seriously consider New Zealand First’s policy on consecutive sentencing.

“I can think of no better deterrent than for people to know that if they do the crime they will do the time – all of it,” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

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