I'm not convinced prison can reform. But it can isolate a danger from society. And that's why I think the Globe had a point in calling for long term offender status for repeat drunk drivers.
The Globe asked that all Canadian provinces follow Alberta's lead and instruct their prosecutors to seek long-term offender designations for chronic drunk drivers — who, as they note, account for a stunning majority of serious impaired driving accidents in this country. And if judges won't play ball, then they demand Parliament force them to. It's a good editorial, and with a terrific lead:
"Terry Naugle of Nova Scotia was convicted of drunk driving in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1989 again, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and, most recently, 2009." And while he did serve prison time, he was never handed so much as a lifetime driving ban. Incredible!
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4
416 225 2777
www.jmortonmusings.blogspot.com
2 comments:
You've just got to figure that he was driving drunk a whole lot more times than the number of times he was caught. What are the chances he wouldn't have lost a fight with a tree by now?
Yup, jail time along with detox and forced rehab. Seems like a greater threat to society at large than the men who get charged with knowingly have unprotected sex when they are HIV positive and not telling their partners.
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Drivers like this man ought to have a choice. Jail or rehabilition class with community service for a yaar.
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