Asenati Lole-Taylor MP

Spokesperson for Corrections
30 January 2013

Make Prisoners Pay Compensation For Their Crimes

New Zealand First’s Short Sharp Sentence Amendment Bill has been plundered by the Government in its move to make prisoners work while behind bars.

Corrections spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says the initiative was clearly taken from New Zealand First’s Member’s Bill which was submitted into the ballot last year.

“It is pleasing to see our policy’s being picked up by the Government but they should come clean and give credit where it’s due.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says the Government would be wise to pick up other related New Zealand First policies to improve the prisoner work scheme.

“While we acknowledge prisoners should be paid for the work they do, in no way should they get to keep all the money.

“One third should go victims of their crimes, and one third to the state. They are sensible measures to take.

“Prisoners would be allowed to keep the remaining third of their income which would help them create good working habits ready for life outside jail,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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