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Archived Press Releases 2009 17th February 2009

It is time to get tough, now!

(17th February 2009)

Recent changes proposed by the National Government to get tougher on youth crime are well overdue says Christchurch Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesperson.

"New measures proposed by the National Government for Army run 'boot camps' are well overdue", says Leah Matena.

"Kim Workman has come out and branded them "correctional quackery" and said they were motivated by revenge rather than rehabilitation."

"Well, I say the softly, softly PC approach taken for far too long now hasn’t worked. At least we need to try and see what the results are" says Leah Matena. Having spoken to an officer in the army previously who has been involved in similar programs, they do have some positive results. The crimes committed by our youth of today, our future, are increasingly becoming more and more violent.

"Before we end up dealing with the new generations of Liam Reids and Graeme Burtons of this world, isn’t it time to try a new approach and get tougher?"

Regards,

Leah Matena
Christchurch Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Mobile 027 3066 458