The Government's proposal for a "three strikes" sentencing policy, which would see repeat violent offenders who kill spend the rest of their life in prison, has sparked debate by political and social groups.
The policy, "Three Strikes and Max", outlines 36 offences that count as a "strike".
If an offender commits three “strikes” they face the possibility of being locked away in jail without any chance of release — on the third strike the judge will have to impose the maximum sentence for the crime and the offender will not be eligible for parole.
Sentences range from seven years to life imprisonment — for murder and manslaughter, the maximum is life imprisonment, sexual violation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and for aggravated robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder it’s 14 years.
The new system would also require an increase in prison beds — an extra 56 prison beds after five years, increasing to 725 beds after 50 years.
Last year it cost $249.25 a day to keep a prisoner in New Zealand, compared to $9.92 a day to have a prisoner on a community-based sentence.
Rethinking Crime and Punishment spokesman Kim Workman told reporters yesterday that the new policy shifted the focus from the judiciary to the police.
"Under the proposed legislation, the police could, for example, lay a charge of assault with aggravated injury against an offender, which is a three strikes offence. They could then plea bargain with the offender, and reduce the charge to aggravated assault, which is not eligible, on condition that the offender pleaded guilty to the lesser charge," he said.
"Police 'overcharging' is a major issue in New Zealand, with around 10 percent of all charges laid by the police being subsequently withdrawn.
"Judges on the other hand, can only decline to sentence under the three strikes legislation, when it would be 'manifestly unjust' to do so. All the discretion lies with the police."
Mr Workman also warned of longer jail sentences.
"The longer you keep people in prison, the less likely they are to reform,” he said.
Do you agree with the government's "three strikes" policy? Or will it just create more overcrowding in prisons without reducing violent crime in this country? Have your say below.
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