Whereas most commentators on our criminal justice system come from either the “it’s not my fault – it’s society that is responsible” or the “don’t give a damn, string ’em up” approach, very few have put their political ideologies aside long enough to actually ‘get inside’ what’s really going on. In Justice With Both Eyes Open, Marc Alexander calls for a proactive engagement with the criminal justice system – not just by judges, court attendants, parole officers, police and politicians, but by the community at large.

This book is an attempt to comprehend the underlying currents not always explored when considering some of the reasons for an explosion of crime, such as the deleterious effects of diet and bad town planning, as well as further discussion on the effects of violent television programming and video games.

Justice With Both Eyes Open is a very personal and passionate challenge to historical assumptions underlying the criminal justice system. It presents a new paradigm that emphasises the need for both intensive interventions for those most at risk of offending and stringent punishment strategies that acknowledge the victim’s right to restitution and retribution.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be distributed between the Family Help Trust and the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

From the author:
If this book can accomplish anything, I would hope that the role of the victim will be reasserted and take centre stage as the primary rationale for why we have a criminal justice system in the first place.


Marc Alexander was born and spent his early childhood in Japan. After a short time in Australia he was sent to Cathedral Grammar and then Christ’s College in Christchurch, New Zealand. After completing an M.A. in Politics at the University of Canterbury and studying at La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in France he opened a restaurant in Sydney, Australia. He then spent two years living in a grass hut in Tonga while he was Executive Chef at the FaFa Island Resort. Returning to New Zealand he continued in the restaurant business combining guest appearances on television with being a radio talkback host.

Before becoming a list MP for the United Future party Marc was an avid campaigner and spokesperson for the Sensible Sentencing Trust. His responsibilities as MP include being Deputy Chair for the Law & Order Parliamentary Select Committee and he is the party’s Spokesperson for Law and Order, Police, Internal Affairs, Communications and Broadcasting, Arts and Culture, and Emergency Services. Marc continues to live in Christchurch and is married to Angelika with whom he has one son.