Tonda MacCharles
Toronto Star
OTTAWA–Federal government proposals to get tougher on criminals would hit aboriginal people the hardest, violate Charter rights of inmates, and likely not make for safer streets, says the agency that oversees federal prisons.
Underlying some of the agency's criticism is concern about dramatic increases in the prison population that would result from the Conservatives' approach.
Among the targets in an analysis prepared by Correctional Services Canada's strategic policy division are proposals for mandatory minimum sentences and for the so-called three-strikes law, key elements of the Tories' law-and-order agenda.
The analysis says minimum sentences don't have a deterrent effect and drain away funds available for social programs that prevent crime.
The proposal for a three-strikes law – designating as a dangerous offender anyone convicted of a third violent or sexual offence – would have a "disproportionately higher impact" on native people, the analysis says.
The analysis took aim at almost every law-and-order promise that would affect prisoners made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives during the election campaign a year ago.
The final version of the document, obtained by the Star under Access to Information legislation, is dated Jan. 24, 2006 – the day after the Conservatives won the election. It outlined "considerations" for the new government on each of its proposed policies, as well as advice on the "direction/way forward."
Prisons are supposed to be punishment.......a message lost on Corrections Canada and leftist do-gooders.
3 comments:
and we all know just how well this one dimensional approach works in the US.
We need real action. No one disagrees that punishement should fit the crime, but is this all the conservatives have to offer?
This fixes the problems no better than the liberals.
Change my ass.
It is obvious what you are against, anything that involves getting involved/taking individual responsibility, but it would be interesting to hear what you stand for and hearing something to illustrate it. It it obvious that you are just another on of those fence sitting shoot the messenger zealots.
what I am against, is the continual one dimensional inaction on the part of BOTH the conservatives, AND the liberals. You can try to slam 'leftist' or 'do-gooder' on me all you like, but it is clear here what my point is, but it seems lost on you. The liberals spend their time funding projects to engage young people and try to prevent them from going into a life of crime, but then does nothing when they do start a life of crime. They coddle the bastards. The conservatives, do nothing on preventing the crime cycle, perhaps even encouraging it by focusing on rewarding those who have money, but will fill our jails with more who commit the crimes.
I'm sorry, but neither approach will do much to save many lives, because they are on their own, while lofty in their goals, will solve much at all.
I applaud efforts to engage our young people. If done properly without filling people's backpockets. I also applaud 'making the time fit the crime'. But don't you think it's time a leader recognizes that a multi pronged approach needs to be undertaken to make some real progress?
Don't try to label me with your simpleton 'leftist' bullshit, it shows your feeble one legged position clear as day.
I've watched as the liberals did very little to address it, and now I'm watching the conservatives do very little. I'm a Canadian who demands more, and if that makes me a 'do-gooder', then so be it.
Post a Comment