Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Restorative justice figures not credible

Restorative justice figures not credible

30th June 2016

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says the restorative justice figures released by Justice Minister Amy Adams are not credible.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1606/S00473/162m-boost-for-restorative-justice.htm
Jock Jamieson who is the Public Awareness and Education spokesman for SST says he suspects the figures are more about the Government trying to manipulate the figures to meet its target to reduce crime than actually reducing crime.

“The Minister seems to be once again promoting Restorative Justice and claimed the following in her press release of 29th June.”

“Data from 2008 to 2013 shows the reoffending rate for offenders who participated in restorative justice was 15 percent lower over the following 12 month period than comparable offenders, with 26 percent fewer offences per offender.”

Mr. Jamieson challenges that statement, “15% lower in the following 12 month period is it? What about 13 months and beyond? These are meaningless numbers as recidivist offenders know how to behave during the period all eyes are on them.”

“So if a 15% lower reoffending rate equals 26% fewer offences per offender, then how bad was it before?”

“Are we supposed to believe recidivist offenders are changed forever as a result of sitting down at a meeting with their victims?”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr. Jamieson said the Minister had recently addressed a victims of crime conference where she stated that victims of crime should be at the centre of the justice system, not offenders.
“If pouring money into a restorative justice system with dubious outcomes is the solution then we are no further ahead in lowering crime in NZ.”

“After years of battling the parole system to keep the killers of my in-laws killers in prison I have become to realize that this country has a very offender friendly criminal centred legal system that is designed to stop offenders being held to account and get them out of prison as soon as possible.”

“It is archaic and cruel to victims and I suspect restorative justice to be exactly the same.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.