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Archived Press Releases 2008 2nd May 2008

HOME DETENTION A SHAM SAYS WATCHDOG

(2nd May 2008)

Figure released by Corrections Minister Phil Goff are confirmation that the public were conned and the scheme is a sham says a Justice Watchdog organization.

The figures show that more than half the 1517 offenders on home detention to June last year had convictions for violence, sex and drug crimes.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says that the figures are alarming. “The public will be horrified to learn that after being assured by the Government that home detention would only be used for low-risk offenders, we now find the scheme was a sham,” said National Spokesman Garth McVicar.

“It appears now that the public have been conned yet again and that Home Detention was introduced solely to lower the prison population.”

“The first responsibility of any responsible Government is the protection of law-abiding citizens, these figures prove that this Government is prepared to put innocent members of the community at risk - their obsession with lowering the prison population is being implemented at the risk of innocent lives.”

National’s Justice spokesman Simon Power said a National government would stop violent offenders being given Home Detention.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.