Ho, Ho, Home Invasion
Ho, Ho, Home Invasion
ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today expressed a fervent hope that Santa does not slide down a chimney to deliver presents, and come face to face with one of the 242 inmates being granted early release for Christmas.
"Rather than deliberately allowing hundreds of prisoners to go free before Christmas, the Government should change the law to ensure that most can't get out until after the festivities are over," Mr Franks said.
"Law-abiding Kiwis throughout the country will be worrying, every time they go out, that they may return home to find that burglars have helped themselves to their Christmas presents and other belongings - with so many inmates being released, Santa may well encounter someone being truly naughty on Christmas eve.
"It is time for the Government to stop treating offenders like victims. If criminals want to commit crimes, then they must take full responsibility for their actions - even if it means spending Christmas in prison.
"Early release is nothing more than a
Yuletide `get out of jail free' card. When will Labour
learn to put the needs of the community above those of
criminals? Burglary, home invasion and assault are not the
sort of present that New Zealanders want for Christmas," Mr
Franks said.