13 November 2008
Dumb, Dumb and Dumber: Three strikes policy = ignorance
Green Party Justice Spokesperson Metiria Turei supports the concerns of the Rethinking Crime and Punishment organisation
about the cost of ACT's three strikes imprisonment policy.
Mrs Turei says focusing on revenge and creating moral panic is not an intelligent way to deal with crime and justice
issues. She says resources must be used wisely and targeted at initiatives that actually reduce offending, rather than
the kneejerk reactions espoused by ACT that would wait until a third serious crime is committed and then spend billions
locking the offender away.
"As resources become scarce they must be used wisely - not ideologically. Rehabilitation and victim restoration are the
two most important priorities."
"Despite protests from the Sensible Sentencing Trust, the key issue is where to use precious justice funds. Retribution
might serve some interests but policies and funding must be directed to stop the escalation of violent crime not just
lock people away.
"Building more prisons is a distraction. While the National Party's justice policy does include increased support for
rehabilitation programmes, ACT's policy is highly retributive and 19th century. It also wastes considerable resources
that could be used to rehabilitate offenders and to restore victims' rights.
"Nowhere in ACT's three strikes policy is there a focus on restoration and compensation for victims, which is absolutely
crucial.
Mrs Turei says it's vital to take off the blinkers and to think smarter - rather than dumber - about what's really going
to work.
ENDS