[kenmore]

But its true Ruez its true..tory bullshit as usual.

[kenmore]

The crime bill and the Russian Air Craft stories are just that stories. Deflection from the economy and harpers lack of knowledge and will to do anything about it.

[mtbr]

kenmore wrote:

The crime bill and the Russian Air Craft stories are just that stories. Deflection from the economy and harpers lack of knowledge and will to do anything about it.

deflection from the
economy? what's the matter are Ontario and Quebec in a DEPRESSION?

An Alberta Bust would be an Eastern Boom

[Bibbi]

Actually the tough on crime approach creates more problems which is why it has generally been avoided.

After all, it is certainly NOT a deterrence if your chances of getting caught haven't changed. Even if more people were caught, there would be more trials to avoid minimum sentences and there are not enough prosecutors to handle that situation so there would be more plea bargains down to a lesser charge without a minimum sentence.

If there were actually more people, caught and convicted which requires a lot more money for more police, prosecutors, detectives, and court time for trials,etc. there isn't the prison space or the guards to handle the longer sentences.

So, without a billion or two into the justice system, it just is NOT going to work.

[ridenrain]

As I pointed out again and again, the people shot in BC's recent drug gang war were all on bail for weapons offences. If they were in jail, those shootings could not have happened.

[DrJones]

Ridenrain is right. And under new amendments passed by the Tories in July 2008, if someone commits a firearm offence it is usually what's called a "reverse onus" bail situation, (if they have any prior court orders or history), where they must prove they should be released.

But it's up to judges to actually live up to the spirit of those changes and not let everyone out anyway...

[DrJones]

In fact, even if it's a FIRST TIME OFFENDER it's a "reverse onus" if it's a crime with a firearm:

Bail Reforms

* A “reverse onus”, (i.e. requiring the accused to show why he or she should not be kept in jail while awaiting trial) applies to those charged with:
* Using a firearm to commit certain serious offences including attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent, sexual assault with a weapon, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, hostage-taking, robbery and extortion;

[Bibbi]

ridenrain wrote:

As I pointed out again and again, the people shot in BC's recent drug gang war were all on bail for weapons offences. If they were in jail, those shootings could not have happened.

No, they would have been stabbed rather than shot. How is that a plus?

[ridenrain]

One would expect it's a hell of a lot harder to stage a murder in prison and the chances of getting away with it are closer to zero. The best the special gang squad can do is solve 4% of the gang killings on the outside.

More important, there's zero chance these punks in prison will be hitting innocent people in their drive by gang wars.

Isn't this all about protecting the public after all?

[Freakinoldguy]

ridenrain wrote:

Isn't this all about protecting the public after all?

The public be damned. It's about rehabilitating these poor misguided souls, so they can return to society in a minimum amount of time and lead clean productive lives which enrich our peaceful communities with their good will and comradeship.

(sarcasm off)