Launch of ‘Smart on Crime’ blog
The ‘Smart on Crime’ blog (blog.rethinking.org.nz) makes its first public appearance today. It is one more way Rethinking Crime and Punishment’s contributes to the
public discussion and debate on criminal justice issues, with the expectation that the information and discussion will
contribute to a more effective crime and justice strategy in 2015 and beyond.
New Zealanders recognize that the criminal justice system is failing too many, costing too much, and helping too few. To
effectively tackle these challenges, we must abandon heated rhetoric and explore policies based not on ideology, but on
evidence. We must come together to forge a system that works for everyone.
New Zealanders are looking for ‘Smart on Crime’ policies, strategies, practises and processes which reduce crime
victimisation and social harm in the community, and minimise the downstream adverse consequences for victims, offenders,
their families and whanau, and the wider community The ‘Smart on Crime’ blog will add to that conversation. The blog
will be issues-driven, responding to crime and justice issues as they arise.
The first blog takes a closer look at why the UK Three Strikes for Burglary policy has failed, and is invoked by the
judiciary in only 22% of all 3rd strike cases.
Ends