Pubdate: Wed, 02 May 2007 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 ADDRESSING THE OUTRAGE RARELY a day goes by without reports of some fresh outrage in Manitoba's justice system. High-profile cases collapse in courts, some of which are so overwhelmed that there exists concern that justice delayed is becoming justice denied. Remand centres and provincial jails are packed beyond capacity so that conditions are inadequate, leading to double-time-served reductions in sentences as compensation. Investigations too often fail to produce evidence sufficient to yield convictions beyond a reasonable doubt. Arrest warrants are issued but seldom served. Conditions of probation are flouted with impunity for lack of resources to enforce them. There are not sufficient programs to prevent predictable recidivism, among drug addicts, for example. In areas where there has been significant increases in resources -- gangs and car theft -- there has not been much evidence of success. Which is not to say that crime is out of control in Manitoba -- our rates for most offences are in line with rates elsewhere in Canada -- but it is to say that there appears to be a lot that needs fixing. To that end, Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen has usefully painted a big-picture response to the myriad of outrages. To be sure, part of his inspiration must be a desire to out law-and-order the NDP and reclaim crime fighting as a Conservative issue. And without doubt, his rhetoric often is overheated, and sometimes offensive, as in his statement that the Justice department should focus on convictions. No it shouldn't. It should focus on upholding the law, and that includes waiving charges not supported by evidence. He also is wrong to pander on the issue of selecting judges by adding police and victims to the selection panel. Manitoba's process is the best in the country. Don't fix what isn't broken. That said, however, the fact is that Mr. McFadyen has a "comprehensive" plan, one that doesn't tinker at the edges but addresses most of the outrages. More judges with more support workers including case managers. More police, a lot more police, 222 of them, and, again, with support workers such as crime analysts. He would even create new kinds of officers -- sheriffs, for example, that would enforce traffic law. He would split up the Justice Department so as to have the prosecution functions separate from the more administrative functions, including a new role operating a "police college" to produce special constables and sheriffs. The case for the split has not been adequately made -- it might simply lead to a bigger bureaucracy, but it might better focus resources so that even little programs like rehabilitation get the funding and attention they deserve. Most glaringly absent is the analysis that shows that the parade of outrages that make headlines is more than a series of unhappy anecdotes. Mr. McFadyen says that his plan will cost $40 million a year. That's a lot of money to throw at crime fighting. If it's necessary, Manitobans won't begrudge it. But without a cost-benefit analysis, this level of spending might only be another outrage. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek