Franks' bottom lines on Criminal Justice

Stephen Franks Wednesday, 14 September 2005

Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today his personal bottom lines for involvement in a justice portfolio in the new government.

"I am determined that ending parole will mean what it says.

"I won't accept anything less than what National has already promised. That is the abolition of parole for violent and repeat offenders.

"We will press vigorously for a much more straight forward reform, to end parole completely so that we have genuine truth in sentencing.

"That means every prison sentence given is served, and always followed by a period of strict supervision," Mr Franks said.

"NZ First has a pretend toughness on crime. They look as if they are opposed to parole at first sight but NZ First fine print makes the qualification that parole will only be ended for prisoners not capable of rehabilitation. These are cynical weasel words. Everyone knows that it is not possible to tell in advance who is likely to be rehabilitated. NZ First's parole plan is essentially more of the dangerous and useless system we have now.

"It appears that Ron Mark was rolled by the apologists for criminals in his caucus. Presumably they are the same ones who want to support Labour in changing section 59 of the Crimes Act to ban smacking.

"Even the Sensible Sentencing Trust has been misled into including NZ First with ACT, National and United Future as parties committed to genuine toughness on crime," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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