Open Justice protects communities and paedophiles

The fears about a convicted paedophile in the Blackball community highlights the Labour Government’s arrogance, ACT Justice spokesman Stephen Franks said today.

Mr Franks was responding to community fears about the release on parole of a paedophile, who has recently moved to the small West Coast township.

“ACT policy would stop this kind of nonsense. First he would not be in the community before serving his full sentence,” Mr Franks said.

“Secondly every adult in Blackball would be helping him to be sure he doesn’t fall into temptation. There is no research evidence to show that offenders hidden in communities are more likely to be rehabilitated than those who have to satisfy fully-informed neighbours of their turnaround.

Thirdly, ACT policy trusts the people like our lost traditions of open justice. It is no wonder that people react with rage and tar and feathering threats when the State secretes criminals into innocent communities. If the State would trust the people to be civil, though wary, the people would trust the State and they’ll feel justified in extremism.

“ACT would end all name and criminal record suppression unless the victims request otherwise. In this case, it more importantly would start to restore trust in the community that the justice system puts victims interests ahead of criminals,” Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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