Bouma basher walks, so too should parole

Wednesday 2 Feb 2005

Stephen Franks - Press Releases - Other

"Six years out of a scumbag's existence is a pathetic price for ending Beverley Bouma's life and destroying her family," ACT's Justice spokesman Stephen Franks said today.

Mr Franks' comments follow Mark Reihana being released on parole today. Convicted of the manslaughter of the Reporoa woman, Reihana has been released two years before his eight-year sentence expires. His brother Luke is due out next week.

"Parole serves only to allow Labour ministers to give the impression that sentences are longer than what they really are.

"Labour says it has tightened up on parole since these men were sentenced. In reality, Reihana could have been released before three years were up, under Labour's new laws. ACT says get rid of parole all together.

"Labour's busy telling New Zealanders they should be feeling safer in their homes but violent crime is up 13.5% over the past five years. There are a staggering 25 violent offences every day - that's five an hour! We've had nine homicides already this year and we're somehow meant to rest easy.

"New Zealanders are disgusted he's out and the Bouma children will be feeling sick to the stomach. It's only a matter of time until the Reihana brothers are back in the news, but Labour is more interested in collecting traffic fines than dealing to the real baddies," said Mr Franks.

ENDS

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