Media Statement
Sunday 16 February 2004

Greens replacing commonsense with nonsense again! "Nandor Tanczos has replaced commonsense with ideology with regard to private management of prisons", says United Future Law and Order Spokesman Marc Alexander.

"On the one hand Tanczos rightfully points out that the Auckland Central Remand Prison (ACRP) was the one 'shining light' in prison management; that it's a well run prison; that he is not a defender of the public service; but despite logic will support its closure with the other"

"It's like wanting to snuff out a candle so that corrections can grovel in the dark looking for a match to light. Then to heap illogicality on to irrationality Tanczos goes on to justify his party's opposition to the best run prison in the country as not being a question of ideology."

"Clearly if even Tanczos can see that by every barometer the privately managed prison is better, then his objection can only be ideological. Frankly I question whether he is getting enough oxygen into that brain of his."

"How hard can it be to see sense? The privately managed prison is the only internationally accredited prison in New Zealand; has the backing of Iwi Whanai, which argues that it does more to prevent Maori and Pacific Island inmates re-offending than any publicly run prison; and offers inmates 2 ? hours a day more in rehabilitation programs than those in the state prison across the road (Mount Eden). As if that wasn't enough the private prison also saves taxpayers $29,000 per inmate per year!"

"If all our prisons were as efficient with the highest standards, we could save close to half a billion dollars per year, which could then be spent on fighting crime and reducing the number of victims. Tragically that's the real price of the obstinate Greens ideology."

Ends

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