Forget prison! Fines and probation for thugs
Posted April 26, 2012 5:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Canadians are in favour of finding different ways to punish criminals rather than just sticking them behind bars, according to a new Angus Reid poll. This comes as Bill C-10 brings in mandatory sentences.
Despite the push for more jails by the feds, nearly 80 per cent would rather see those convicted of minor crimes like pot possession to be fined, given community service or put on probation, rather than go to prison.
Mario Canseco with Angus Reid suggests the federal government may want to pay attention to these findings. “Only 19 per cent of Canadians believe the [justice] system does a good job in helping those who are in jail become law abiding; only one-in-five.”
The omnibus bill includes mandatory minimum prison sentences for drug offenders among other things. “It’s the opposite of what we see now, which is a big push from the federal government to have mandatory sentences in jail rather than alternative penalties,” he adds.
Canada’s crime rate in 2010 was at its lowest point in nearly 40 years.
