Statistics Show Three Strikes Is Needed

Ministry of Justice statistics revealing that four violent crimes have been committed every day since the Three Strikes law has passed highlights just how important it was for the Government to introduce the Three Strikes legislation which specifically targets violent crime, ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman David Garrett said today.

"The fact is these serious violent crimes would have been committed regardless of whether Three Strikes was in place. The only difference it will make to the offenders sentencing at this stage is that they will receive a warning from the judge outlining the consequences of reoffending, and it is from this point that it will start to have an impact," Mr Garrett said.

"This warning will have one of two outcomes. It will either deter them from committing another crime – therefore reducing our crime statistics - or it won’t. Those that choose to reoffend will be locked away for longer. I ask those who claim that this is a bad thing: do they really want these serious violent offenders out on our streets?

"Corrections estimate that the number of extra prison beds required due to ‘Three Strikes’ at 56 beds after five years, 142 beds after 10 years, 288 after 20 years, 433 after 30 years and 725 after 50 years. These figures do not take into account any deterrent effect. There is absolutely no reason to believe that these figures will not be correct and is likely to be an over-estimate.

"Nigel Hampton QC’s comments in today’s ‘Dominion Post’ prove that he was wise to choose a career in law rather than statistics. If he cannot see that ‘Three Strikes’ makes no difference to bed requirements at this stage perhaps he would be wiser not to comment at all.

"Kiwi families have the right to feel safe in their own homes and it is far better that these serious violent offenders who cannot be rehabilitated are locked away, instead of being free to roam the streets committing crime," Mr Garrett said.

ENDS

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