Today’s piece by Christie Blatchford in the Globe suggests that the Harper Justice proposals are not focused on deterrence but rather denunciation.
That analysis is certainly correct because there is little to suggest that the changes proposed will deter crimes.
Indeed, since the motivation behind the proposed enhanced punishments is a symbolical denunciation of criminals and crime, the symbolic nature of the changes does not require there be any impact on crime or public safety. In other words, the current debate on criminal justice in
That said, symbols are important. Denunciation is a valid goal of a criminal justice system; but we must not confuse symbolism with action and there is no basis to suggest the current Justice proposals will be anything more than symbolic. Put otherwise, the proposed changes to the Justice system are just politics.
3 comments:
I love when you socialists hug -a -thuggers- don't see the obvious faults in your argument.
Let me ask you a question Morton.
If you were to rape someone, kill someone, rob someone,sell drugs or any other serious crime, where would you rather do it?
In Canada or the USA?
Clearly, Canadian criminals would rather do the crime in Canada and NOT the USA.
Why is that Morton?
Because Canadians are scared shitless of committing serious crime in the USA because of the MASSIVE jail time given.
You're theory that longer sentences don't deter crime is ridiculous and off the mark.
Why compare longer sentences with detterence?
Two different words with two different meanings.
Denunciation, deterrence, punishment, protection. We seem to have forgotten that another goal of the justice system is to protect the public from the criminal. Criminals in jail tend not to murder, rape, assault, rob, or commit any number of crimes against the public. While the youth justice system has more need for rehabilitation, public protections is still the primary purpose (or should be) of the justice system. Or should I really call it the "legal system"? Justice not being a big part anymore. Anyway, some young criminals need to incarcerated to protect us and the present system does not allow for that.
I guess I find it funny how the left will use the common good to to enact all sorts of legislation that restricts the rights of individuals despite the costs yet get all gushy over individual right of criminals and decry the cost of the prison system. A real hypocrisy, a massive double standard.
I'll say it again. We need a criminal justice system that works. Not one that sounds good. One that actually stops crime. If that means sending convicted criminals to isolation centres for long periods, fine; if it means forcing drug addicts to take treatment, fine; but it doesn't mean more of the same. The same isn't working -- why do we want more of it?
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