For Immediate Release:

Criminal Justice sector in ‘very’ safe hands

Kim Workman from Rethinking Crime and Punishment today issued scathing attacks on Justice Minister Judith Collins and the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Mr. Workman made the comments in an address to a Psychiatrists and Psychologists Conference in Wellington.

But the Sensible Sentencing Trust say that Rethinking has given up thinking and moved into panic mode as it became obvious their ideology and ‘thinking’ had failed.

New Zealand crime statistics show that violent crime had risen continuously for many years as organizations such as Rethinking had promoted the idea that criminals needed therapy and treatment not punishment.

Garth McVicar, founder and spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust said Mr. Workman’s comments were astounding coming at a time when crime and prison numbers had dropped significantly and murder was at its lowest point for many years.

“I understand that Mr. Workman must be very frustrated as the ‘therapy theory’ has been destroyed. The recent moves by the Minister of Corrections, Judith Collins and the National / Act Government to put the responsibility back on the offender have had immediate and spectacular results.”

“Judith Collins has said that crime is a choice and prison is voluntary and that individuals are responsible and accountable for the choices they make.”

That approach has produced an immediate drop in crime and prison numbers.

“That result must be very exasperating for Rethinking who have promoted the idea that crime was a community problem and all the criminals needed was a little love and understanding – or as they call it – therapeutic interventions!”

“Mr. Workman has for many years talked about the need to implement “what works. It is now very obvious that the back to basics approach that puts the responsibility for crime on the perpetrator actually works far better than the ‘therapeutic interventions’ or “criminals are victims” model he has espoused.”

“I feel sorry for Kim, he obviously hasn’t heard the saying. ‘When you find yourself in a hole the best thing to do is stop digging’. By attacking the most successful Minister of Corrections this country has had for many years is not very smart, particularly for a man who has spent most of his life working in the justice sector.”

“I can accept it must be very frustrating for the Rethinking people, [I am assuming there is more than just Mr. Workman] to accept the ‘therapy theory’ they have advocated has been totally discredited.”

“I would suggest the Rethinking organization would be well advised to heed their own advice and actually have an honest and truthful look at what ‘really’ works.” ENDS

Sensible Sentencing Trust

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