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FEEDBACK TO: Canadian jails a joke

First of all, the crime rate has been dropping for decades.

I will admit that sentences are too lenient for most crimes in Canada, but we must concede that a lot of Canadian jail cells are wasted on non-violent drug offences.

The U.S., for example, imprisons more people per capita than any other nation in the history of the world -- 2.1 million inmates and climbing fast. About 80 per cent of those are for minor, non-violent drug crimes, and about 80 per cent (of that 80 per cent) is black or Hispanic.

Imagine how many killers and child molesters we could lock up if we freed all the non-violent drug prisoners!

But jail is also a place where one is subjected to violence, sexual assault, slavery, and exposure to deadly diseases. People don't come out of jail "corrected", they come out devastated, and often unable to work. They end up becoming a drain on the welfare and medical systems and often end up back in jail. All of this costs taxpayers money.

To make jail "meaner" would just make a bad problem worse by wasting more money and hurting more people. Two wrongs don't make a right.

This notion that people need to be "punished" for their crime usually comes from people who have "daddy issues". They need the government and police to act as a stern father because they are too afraid to take responsibility for their own actions or weird impulses.

When they see some criminal get a good beating, it satisfies a vindictive visceral response in these people, and they feel like justice has been served. It also feeds the personal fear they have, to keep them from acting out themselves.

But for every person "scared straight" by a tough jail, there are countless hundreds or thousands more who were completely ruined by it. "Making an example" of someone, in hopes of deterring another crime is not only unfair to the individual being punished, it doesn't actually work.

It would be cheaper, more effective, and safer for everyone in society, if we tried to correct these people and turn them into sensible, productive citizens, instead of locking them up in expensive jails for a long time.

But don't think me the bleeding heart, I'm not. I am just looking at the situation logically instead of emotionally. As long as worrywart hand-wringers and budget-driven police brass keep pushing government for longer sentences and stiffer penalties, we are stuck with this ineffective and archaic crime and torture model.

-Russell. Ottawa, Ontario

Don't forget the Young Offenders Act is also a joke!

-Mike

FEEDBACK TO: I don't get "Baby on Board" signs

I think you speak about a very small group of careless drivers. It's unfortunate that you came across these idiots, but trust me, as a new mom with a "Baby on Board" sign, I am now extra careful when driving. Those signs should act as a caution to others and hopefully others take note. You ask why you should be made to change your driving habits because there is a baby in the car in front... but you shouldn't have any bad habits to change. I would hope that you are driving carefully ALL THE TIME and not just in certain circumstances.

-Teresa

FEEDBACK TO: SpeakFree Mailbag

I think for those people who have to say bad things about other people should look at themselves first. What would you do or say in the same situation as the person you are talking about? Think about it people, who are you to judge? In the end you will be judged.

So what I am getting at is JB is doing an awesome job. He is expressing his point of views, beliefs and opinions. Don't condemn him for using Freedom of Speech.

-Calvin