Franks - Hotene Report Touchy-Feely Psychobabble

Monday 9th Oct 2000 Stephen Franks Media Release -- Justice

The Ministry of Corrections report on Taffy Hotene is touchy-feely psychobabble, said ACT Justice spokesman, Stephen Franks.

“The report highlights the complete lack of focus on the protection of innocent people and suitable punishment. The whole report talks in terms of the “needs of the offender” and “appropriate counselling” and processes for integration which reads like something from Enid Blyton.

“The report states that the failure of the processes were not responsible for Kylie's death, yet Taffy Hotene was out because of politicians decisions to lie about sentencing.

“Corrections Minister, Matt Robson, scoffed at ACT’s concern for predictable victims when he voted to toss out the Truth in Sentencing Bill only three weeks ago.

“Even after the lessons of Kylie’s death, they make no commitment to have criminals serve their sentences even when we know more than fifty per cent of serious violent offenders will reoffend during their early release period,” said Stephen Franks.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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