Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

13 February 2007

Clark loses confidence in Corrections

Prime Minister Helen Clark has lost confidence in the Corrections Department, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

He is commenting after Helen Clark’s statement in Parliament today indicates police will get the power to recall a prisoner on parole who is posing an undue risk, a job previously done by the Probation Service.

“This proposal shows clearly that Helen Clark no longer trusts Corrections to make the right call, so she is giving police the power to make it.

“The Probation Service have the experience of monitoring parolees, but it was them who refused to take action on December 5 when alleged breaches of parole by Graeme Burton were brought to their attention.

“It is particularly telling that Corrections CEO Barry Matthews said at the weekend that there were no planned changes to the Parole Act that he knew of.

“Clearly, he hasn't been consulted because Helen Clark has lost confidence in his department’s ability to do its job.

“Why else would the department that runs the Probation Service be cut out of the process?”

ENDS

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