Criminal Laws: Going The Way of The U.S. ...
... in becoming a prison nation is apparently what drives the "tough-on-crime" republican conservative agenda of Harper and his Harpies.
(In case you don't get it: it is "mandatory sentences" and "three strikes" laws regarding drug possession and/or intent to sell which more than significantly contributed to the monstrous bloating of the U.S. prison population).
Are we there, yet?
(sigh)
(In case you don't get it: it is "mandatory sentences" and "three strikes" laws regarding drug possession and/or intent to sell which more than significantly contributed to the monstrous bloating of the U.S. prison population).
Are we there, yet?
(sigh)
It's pure political optics, as were the Conservatives previous bills related to crime, and it's a real travesty that all other parties are support this new proposed legislation.
ReplyDeleteSince the Conservatives came to (minority) power, it seems all parties have forgotten that most legislation is drafted after a process of CONSULTATION. These guys just shoot from the hip and everyone follows the charge.
Had consultation occurred, I am sure you would have many social workers, youth councilors, criminologists coming forth to address the need for intervention programs, decriminalization of certain drugs, and better policing (including effective investigations that actually lead to successful prosecutions). You would also have had prison guard unions and prisoner rights advocates (John Howard Society) presenting facts about the resultant prison crowding, not to mention the inability to find peaceful ways of sharing common space between rival gangs.
I think there are also legal issues that might have been addressed by judges, defence and prosecution lawyers through a consultation process. For example, how do these changes apply to young offenders? How does it apply to Aboriginal offenders where there is a duty to do least harm in sentencing.
Absolutely, 100% agreement with ya, BY ;-)
ReplyDelete