The Sensible Sentencing Trust has welcomed the Three Strikes for Burglary policy announcement by ACT today.

National spokesperson Louise Parsons today said: “Three Strikes for Burglary effectively targets a small group of serious offenders responsible for a disproportionate amount of serious crime.  It is one of the most effective crime-control policies any party could announce - and is long overdue.”

“Sentences for burglary in New Zealand are very low, barely more than a year on average - despite the 10 year maximum available to Judges.  And any sentence less than 2 years automatically gets halved by law.  So barely a few months of prison actually get served for most burglary convictions.

“This is after considering that only around 22% of burglary convictions actually result in imprisonment.  Most only result in home detention, community work or a fine - even for recidivists with a significant history of offending.  There is little deterrence and even less incapacitation - even for recidivists committing serious crime time and time again.

“Ministry of Justice research has shown recidivist burglars have some of the highest rates of re-offending of any offender type.  Their rap-sheets are typically extensive.  But as well as committing repeated burglaries - these criminals commit a significant amount of other offending - such as sexual offences, robberies & motor vehicle thefts just to name a few. 

“This relatively small cohort of full-time criminals are right at the pointy end of creating victims, disorder on our streets, in our homes, and pushing up insurance costs for homeowners, businesses and drivers.  These people cause significant harm to all New Zealanders one way or another.”

“Sensible Sentencing Trust notes that if implemented, a three strikes for burglary policy will likely be the most effective policy to assist the Government achieve its goal of reducing the number of victims of crime.  This policy should be fast-tracked into law.“ concluded Ms Parsons.