Rongonui outrage enough reason to end parole

Stephen Franks
Monday, 20 June 2005
Press Releases - Crime & Justice

Justified outrage at the prospect of parole for Janine Rongonui, barely six years after she stabbed an innocent mother of three to death, is enough reason to end all parole after the election, ACT Justice spokesman Stephen Franks said today.

"There is no research evidence that it achieves any rehabilitative purpose that would not be served by compulsory supervision at the end of every sentence and it gravely increases the anguish caused by the Appeal Court's inadequate sentences.

"It should be enough for the victim's children and corrections officials to persuade the parole board that less than seven years is an absolute insult. Instead, they are forced to pretend that their worry is about Janine Rongonui reoffending because that is the only reason Justice Minister Phil Goff allows for delaying parole.

"Parole law does not admit that punishment is a legitimate purpose of sentencing.

"ACT has been committed to ending parole since Richard Prebble's 1999 Truth in Sentencing Bill. It was voted down by Labour, NZ First, United and the Greens.

"I tried again in 2000 but my bill was voted down although it was supported by National and NZ First. Now National and NZ First are making the right noises but they have weaselly qualifications on their promises to end parole.

"ACT will have to make sure they do what they say," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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