As of today, a new law that toughens mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crimes is under ponderous scrutiny. A proposed bill will do the same for anyone convicted of a long list of drug crimes, including those caught growing just one marijuana plant. It honestly does not matter how large or illegal the crime is, a crime is a crime, Canada must enforce tougher laws to set an example of potential criminals considering such crimes.
So far 76% of Canadian support the increase of minimum jail time, although it has cost Canada $49 billion a year. Howard Sapers, the federally appointed Correctional Investigator, who oversees Canada's prison system says: "Prison populations will increase and, if the evidence that's available is any indication, crime rates won't decrease." However using this thought, if criminals are kept in jail and away from society, wouldn’t the crime rate itself drop in Canada?
Yours Truly,-Waterloo University: Alex.C, PSCI-260
The Star, 2008
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/Crime/article/460704
6 comments:
I don't think that this is a long term solution to the problem. It may be effective in the short run, but just look at the U.S. Instead of making minimum sentences, we should have more ways of helping people who have done wrong, and guide them on the right way.
I don't care about prisons, I agree with you, just throw away the key LOL!!! We'll never be convicted because we're students! Anyways back to DC to study, peace.
Criminals will be criminals, they're all the same, less of them is better off for society. PERIOD.
Hey man, been a while, we should just execute the prisoners or send them to the U.S., such a waste of money I heard it raked to 49$ billion a year???? Don't know if this is true but it's a hell a waste of money.
I don't think that crime rates will decrease at all if minimum sentences are imposed on drug offense crimes. Drug dealing is one of those crime where whenever someone is thrown into jail all it really does it create a job opening. Lets face it, drugs are part of our culture now and it isn't something that will ever go away. What is the government really accomplishing by overcrowding prisons with offenders who will just be replaced when they get locked up? I think rehabilitation programs and other sorts of treatment plans should be offered for those who commit drug offenses. Although the drug problem in society might not ever go away we can use these type of programs to control the problem. It's time to be realistic and realize that making stricter laws will not solve the drug problem, all it really does is waste tax payer dollars and provide more opportunity for other dealers.Locking people up right away for crimes should not even be considered a short term solution for the problem, all the government is doing is putting forth an image that their taking action to stop the problem (via. more reported arrests) without actually solving anything.
I would like to agree with you on "a crime is a crime" regardless of its impact and size, but the court systems definitely cannot view it that way.
There has to be different levels of crimes out there because 1. they are less serious 2. our courts cannot afford dealing with appeals for the "same level" of crimes. I'm sure we can both argue our points, but increased minimum jail time will only cost our government more. Which in turn, costs us more.
I'm not saying that I want criminals, any criminals for that matter, to be walking around my families and such. But these sentences have been structured in a way where it satisfies the needs and wants of the court institutions that hold them there, the courts systems that constantly deal with these issues, and ultimately the government. Who either takes the blame or applaud, depending on what is happening.
Anyways, interesting post, very debatable!
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