When we consider the distorting effect on our worst sentence outcomes, you have to really weigh up and say, "What is this bill doing?" There is no consistent pattern to changing crime rates before and after the three-strikes regime became law. The Ministry of Justice's paper on the Sentencing and Parole Reform Act, which was the three-strikes bill, quite clearly stated, "The proposals will add substantial direct cost to the justice system without creating any significant improved outcomes in terms of reducing the drivers of crime, improving social outcomes, or reducing reoffending and victimisation." Those justice advisers were actively prevented from appearing in front of the Justice Committee, and it was clear from the outset that this law would do nothing to reduce the drivers of crime. 