Hon Matt Robson

Progressive Party deputy leader

29 October 2008 Media Statement

National is objectively pro-crime

National's proposal to privatise prisons shows it has its priorities wrong in preventing crime, Progressive deputy leader and former corrections minister Matt Robson said today.

"Privatising prisons won't stop a single crime. The highest priority for reducing crime should be reducing the availability of alcohol and drugs, and intervening early before people start out on a life of crime. National will do none of that.

"Concentrating on who runs the prisons, instead of on initiatives to prevent crime makes National objectively pro-crime because crime will rise under National - especially when its hands off attitude to the causes of crime are combined with the certainty of rising unemployment under National.

"National's crime policy is not about crime at all - it's about privatising. It's no wonder they want private prisons, since they also want to sell Kiwibank eventually. Prisons are even more of a core function of government. Depriving someone of their liberty is not something to be contracted out.

"National's focus on prisons is misplaced. Some people need to be locked up, but prisons do not change the crime rate. National should focus on alcohol and drugs and on intervening early to reduce reoffending," Matt Robson said.

ENDS

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