Simon Power National Party Law & Order Spokesman

25 April 2006

Truth in sentencing needed

National Party Law & Order spokesman Simon Power has welcomed the Law Commission's view that prisoners should get less time taken off their sentences in parole.

"National has been saying for some time that the parole system lacks credibility and is not working," says Mr Power.

Now the Law Commission's president, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, has said that prisoners should only be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

"Real sentences should reflect time spent in prison as realistically as possible," says Mr Power.

"Sir Geoffrey has slammed the Government by saying the current system borders on 'deception' by imposing lengthy sentences, but mitigating them 'very, very greatly' by parole.

"We need a more transparent and obvious system.

"But National will be watching closely to make sure the Labour Government doesn't use the Commission's words as reason to reduce the length of sentences outright."

Mr Power says anything that can assist in accurately predicting prison muster sentences is welcomed.

"We will wait with interest to see the Commission's formal recommendations."

ENDS

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