The Nat's gang policy hits a bit of opposition

[Lilith7]

I think Mark Mitchell is of the 'lock em up & throw away the key' brand, which doesn't bode well for the future & any hope of progress. I'm not sure just how politicians can manage to be so unaware (to put it politely) that harsh punitve measures just do not work & may well help create lifelong criminals. It isn't that difficult to look around the world & see what works well elsewhere, what might be adapted to work well here.

But the old approach of 'lock em up & throw away the key' is much loved by both uninformed voters & politicians; voters because punitive measures give people the feeling that those responsible for crimes are paying for it (not always the case) & by politicians because they know very well that talking about getting tough on crime in particular gets them votes.
Lots of votes.

As to their nonsense about facial tattoos, National will either have to loudly & clealry change that (unlikely) or very quietly let it drop. Unless they can come up with some legal way of requiring those with facial tattoos to cover them in makeup or some type of face covering ( the latter seems highly unlikely) & distinguishing between 'gang members tattoos' & other people with other types of facial tattoos - the whole thing seems muddled & ill thought out.