South Auckland youth worker Haami Chapman says ACT's three strikes bill in Parliament is likely to lead to more serious offending.
Mr Chapman, who was named local hero in this year's New Zealander of the Year awards for his work with gangs, says by trying to look tough, the Government is ignoring effective community-driven responses to crime.
He told Waatea News that increased prison terms don't act as a deterrent for rangatahi caught up in violence.
"If you know there is no other option and you will go away (to prison) for a long time, what's to prevent you from going the whole hog?" he said.
Mr Chapman said what is working in south Auckland is whanau-based programmes, which are turning lives around.
