Pubdate: Mon, 08 May 2006
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Jodie Giesz-Ramsay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

SCARY AGENDA

Criminologists and studies worldwide prove that mandatory minimum 
sentences do not work.

The U.S is a perfect example of how mandatory minimum sentences and 
prison expansion cost far more than the taxpayers and government can 
afford, and create a corrupt, costly and unaccountable industry. The 
enormous expense of housing people in cells, paying for their food, 
and paying for guards to watch them is beyond what Canada can support 
- -- and Prime Minister Stephen Harper won't even disclose the 
projected costs for the jail building plans. How do the Conservatives 
expect to pay for a prison boom after making such bold promises on child care?

This government scares me more and more every day. I pray that 
Canadians will pressure their members of Parliament to not support 
this proposal or the Conservative party's U.S-influenced agenda. It's 
a cost that Canada can simply not afford -- financially, ethically and morally.

Jodie Giesz-Ramsay,

Vancouver
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman