Crimes of violence

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 12

Crimes of violence

Sir, —It is sad that the tragic death of a local taxidriver has resurrected the argument that stronger sentences will reduce violence. Research does not substantiate this view suggested by taxi-drivers through their federation. In 1972 the Justice Department annual report stated: “The fallacy of thinking that a solution lies in more severe penalties is that most offenders are not given to rational weighing of the consequences. And, where offenders do give thought to the consequences they are unlikely to make any nice judgment of the length of the sentence they will receive.” It is time both the concerned public and taxi-drivers demanded implementation of the following resolution, passed at a mass gathering of taxi-drivers last year: “That this meeting call upon the appropriate agencies to examine the growing incidence of crimes of violence and the most effective, not just harsh ways, of overcoming the problem.” — Yours, etc., M. J. CREE. Executive member. N.Z. Association of Probation Officers. August 13. 1976.