October 15, 2018
Criminal justice panel seeking victims’ views
The head of the panel looking into the criminal justice system says victims take a less punitive approach than those whose lives are unlikely to be touched by crime.
The panel launched its consultation today with a hui at Ngā Whare Waatea in Mangere.
Chester Borrows, a former National Party MP and minister, says it's an opportunity to talk to people actually involved in the sector.
He says while everyone has a view about justice, not everyone politicians usually respond to has actual experience.
"You end up being with people who aren't victims, aren't offenders, aren't related to people who are in either of those groups, and have really firm-held views based on what they have learned in the media, and they seem to have a different view of what the justice system should look like – generally more punitive – than those people who are working every day with people who are victims or are offenders or are working with the families of those people," Mr Borrows says.
The panel hopes the consultation will not only come up with some big ideas but also with lots of smaller tweaks that can make they system work better.
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