The use of cultural reports in court may be under the chopping block in the coming months.

National has promised to scrap funding for the reports, which help judges understand an offenders' background before sentencing.

Lifetime Black Power Member Denis O'Reilly has contributed to several cultural reports and says they can give the sentencing judge insight into an offender. 

"I'm talking with the person, you get them to figure out- that happened in your life, but that does not give you an excuse to hurt that lady, steal that thing. You know, separate out their life experience from their criminal action."

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