Three strikes to be struck out
Otago Daily Times 2 November 2017
The three strikes law is “silly”, doesn’t work, and will be dismantled next year, Justice Minister Andrew Little says.
“It’s been on the statute books for eight years now,” Little told the New Zealand Herald. “Our serious offending rate is rising, our prison population is rising. Throwing people into prison for longer and longer just isn’t working.”
However, repealing it was not in the Government’s 100-day plan.
“It will be some time next year, I imagine. It’s a silly law anyway, but I want to make sure when we do get rid of it, we can say, ‘Here is our plan to reduce serious offending rates’.”
The three strikes law was passed in 2010 and applies to 40 serious sexual or violent offences.
Family First said repealing the law would put the public in greater danger, and former Act MP David Garrett, who was the architect of the bill, said repeat violent offenders deserve longer sentences.
“Each of those 216 guys on a final strike are dangerous, repeat, violent offenders who belong in jail, and they are doing more time than they were before.
“What’s the wrong that needs to be righted? Andrew Little will have no examples of where the legislation has resulted in some rank injustice.”
READ MORE: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/three-strikes-be-struck-out
