Maori Party appalled by three strikes proposals

Proposed ‘three strikes’ legislation shows the government is hide-bound by political rhetoric on crime and punishment that has no factual basis, says the Maori Party.

“The Maori Party believes any form of violence is unacceptable, we are very concerned to reduce violent offending, and we advocate strong interventions to achieve that – but punitive, populist policy will not bring about the long-term change we need,” said co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia.

“The government’s narrow focus on crime and punishment leaves justice right out of the picture. These proposals will create huge disparities in sentencing, and punishment that is completely out of proportion to the crime,” they said.

“They attack the foundations of justice, where judges make decisions based on the facts of the case. Judicial discretion is overruled by political dogma.

“Overseas evidence shows that ‘three strikes’ laws actually increase the risk of violence to the police, and often to victims. The loss of parole means prisoners will have less incentive to change their ways, and there is no hold over them after their release” said Dr Sharples and Mrs Turia.

“Constantly upping the ante over violent offending is like a gambling addiction. It’s fuelled by dreams of success, but the next day we are all worse off.

“The costs of law and order have doubled in fifteen years from $45 billion to over $90 billion a year, as successive governments ‘got tough on crime’. New prisons are already overflowing, courts are clogged up, police are overstretched – and still crime increases.

“These proposals will blow the budget right open, with petty offenders jailed for very long terms, and resources and funds diverted away from measures that will actually reduce violent offending. This is completely contrary to the Drivers of Crime and Whanau Ora approaches that we support.

“The original idea of ‘three strikes’ was to target the worst repeat violent offenders. Now the net is cast much wider. Strikes are based on conviction, not sentence, so minor offences count. Maori will be disproportionately affected as offenders and as victims of offending.

“The original proposals have been radically changed, and any legislation must go back to the Select Committee for submissions from the whole of the public.

“We are sure there will be many people who are as appalled as we are at the irrational and extreme proposals,” said Dr Sharples and Mrs Turia.