Act Policy Vindicated by Sensible Sentencing Data

ACT Leader Dr Jamie Whyte says the Sensible Sentencing Trust's just released analysis of 3 Strikes legislation "proves ACT was right to promote the policy and that it has made New Zealand a much safer country. The figures show beyond doubt that deterrents work and that violent offenders are changing their behaviour to stay out of jail."

The Sensible Sentencing Trust review of court data to the end of 2013 shows that 3721 offenders had been convicted of First Strike violent crimes, but only 29 have received a 2nd Strike sentence and none has been sentenced for a 3rd Strike.

Dr Whyte says ACT was "attacked by the offender-friendly establishment when we made this policy part of our coalition arrangement with National in 2008.
But the SST analysis is the best evidence yet that we were right then and will be right again when we take 3 Strikes for Burglary to the negotiating table after the election."

ACT has a long history of putting victims first, says Dr Whyte. "We've walked the walk for three elections now.

We've worked with Sensible Sentencing and will continue to do so. Other parties in this election are blatantly copying our policies but imitation is no substitute for innovation.

ACT has consistently led the way on law reform to make New Zealand safer and will continue to do so. Protecting people and their property is central to ACT's philosophy."

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