Law aims to snuff out escapes
Government agencies will identify criminals with realtime information including facial recognition and fingerprints — no longer relying on name-based records that allowed Phillip John Smith to escape to Brazil.
Justice Minister Amy Adams has introduced the new legislation, which came from a high-level inquiry into how Smith, a murderer and child sex offender, left the country.
The changes have the cautious support of Labour.
Adams said it was the “step change” on information sharing between agencies that the inquiry concluded was needed.
“It moves away from name-based records . . . to a shared, anchor identity based on unalterable information, such as finger prints and facial recognition.”
The law change will apply to offenders and mental health patients subject to the criminal justice system.
It will also give agencies access to a database of drivers’ licences and birth, death and marriages information.
Police will be able to access information from Corrections, and Customs will know instantly if an offender tries to leave New Zealand, Adams said.
Labour’s justice spokeswoman, Jacinda Ardern, said most New Zealanders would have expected that what was proposed in the legislation was already happening.