Politics and Prose

The Progressives have shown once more why they ought not to be in power.  Following the release of National’s prison policy, Deputy Leader and former corrections minister Matt Robson (yeah, “who?” I hear you ask) attacked the policy as “objectively pro-crime”.

Privatising prisons won’t stop a single crime. The highest priority for reducing crime should be reducing the availability of alcohol and drugs, and intervening early before people start out on a life of crime. National will do none of that.

Concentrating on who runs the prisons, instead of on initiatives to prevent crime makes National objectively pro-crime because crime will rise under National.

Obviously, Robson failed to take the first step of any response – that is to first read the policy.  But that’s OK, because he’s a clairvoyant – he knows crime will rise under National because he read it amongst the tea leaves.

National’s focus on prisons is misplaced. Some people need to be locked up, but prisons do not change the crime rate. National should focus on alcohol and drugs and on intervening early to reduce reoffending.

National’s policyis very clear, and stipulates that under a National-led government, the Dept of Corrections might allow the private sector to tender contracts, should the conditions and benefits be right.  The policy clearly stipulates that by allowing private sector in to manage the prison system, National will save money - it even shows how and where – that can be used to boost drug and alcohol rehabilitation and other post-prison initiatives for inmates.

So the Progressives are criticising National for: firstly, saving money, and; secondly, using that money to fund projects which they are advocating for.  

And this is bad news how?

It’s no wonder Robson is such a terrible Corrections spokeman - he was an abysmal Corrections Minister too.