Sensible Sentencing says “Thank you” to NZ First on Three Strikes

11th June 2018

The Sensible Sentencing Trust has today thanked the entire New Zealand First caucus for their strong stance on Three Strikes - blocking plans by Justice Minister Andrew Little to repeal the law.

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar today said: “The victims we represent are delighted that the NZ First caucus has blocked the repeal of Three Strikes – a law that is overwhelmingly supported by the New Zealand public and victims of serious violent and sexual crime, and working very well.

“Party leader Winston Peters, Justice spokesman Darroch Ball and in fact the entire NZ First caucus have taken leadership on this important issue of public safety and justice. They know the New Zealand public will not support a return to the days of failed soft on crime policies that do not deliver justice and marginalise victims at the expense of the ‘rights’ of dangerous recidivist criminal offenders.

“On behalf of the thousands of members of the public – both victims of crime and those who are not – who contacted Sensible Sentencing outraged at the possibility of losing Three Strikes – we say “Thank you New Zealand First” for doing the right thing.

“The only aspect of Three Strikes in need of improvement is that Senior Judges are routinely, and deliberately misinterpreting the law at the Third Strike stage, and when prior strike offenders are sentenced for murder. Those provisions could be improved to better reflect the clear intentions of Parliament when the law was passed. We would encourage NZ First to seek improvements to those aspects of the law.

“But there are other justice storm clouds on the horizon – Andrew Little should drop his outrageous plans to weaken the bail law, increase the already overused home detention provisions and push forward with building the additional prison space needed.” concluded McVicar. ENDS

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