"Love thy criminal"

The justice system reforms announced today are purportedly about keeping more criminals out of jail.

Back in 2002 the government decided to lock criminals up for longer, which is what has happened. Now, Clark says, recorded crime is at its lowest level in 20 years (true).

So why stop doing what is working? Unless, in fact, it isn't.

Actual prosecuted charges have risen by 5 percent over the past ten years so locking people up for longer doesn't appear to be deterring criminals. The idea of building more prisons isn't publicly popular so, what the hell. Labour says, let's take our chances keeping them in the community or at home.

It's the public I'm worried about. Garth McVicar doesn't mince his words;

But in a scathing attack the Sensible Sentencing Trust has accused the Government as being heartless and cruel to victims. Trust spokesman Garth McVicar said. "This is more of the same old, "love thy criminal and screw the victim", policies we have had for the last thirty years".