Headline: Technology Good – Government Bad
The effectiveness of technology to monitor the alcohol use of offenders on community sentences will only be as good as the support the Government puts around it, Labour’s Corrections Spokesperson Kris Faafoi said today.
“I’m all for taking measures to reduce alcohol fuelled re-offending, but the technology is only part of the picture”, Kris Faafoi said.
“To be effective, the monitoring and response to any breaches need to be adequate. That is one area the Government has continually cut, under-funded or over-worked.
“We know our Police are under pressure and front-line probation services are also being stretched. This innovation must be matched with the right people-power and skills.
“This Government is big on technology but small on the supporting resources. Both will be needed for the measures to work.
“We await the legislation that is necessary to bring in the new technology, however we are mindful that the devil is always in the details,” said Kris Faafoi.
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