Pubdate: Wed, 04 Nov 2009
Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Contact:  http://www.quesnelobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260
Author: Autumn MacDonald

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

It's money well spent.

Last Monday, the federal government introduced legislation that would 
abolish accelerated parole, which allows non-violent offenders a 
get-out-of-jail free card after serving only one-sixth of their sentence.

Scrapping the old system will cost approximately $60 million a year.

The early parole system for "white-collar" criminals was first 
introduced in 1992 when government officials took a hack saw to expenditures.

Shorter sentences mean lower prison-operating costs.

Fair enough, but it also sent a message to any "non-violent" offender 
such as scam artists and drug dealers.

Not to mention it was a slap in the face to their victims.

Public Safety Minister, Peter Van Loan said Canadians were surprised 
to learn that unless the National Parole Board has reasonable grounds 
to believe these offenders would commit a violent offence, not 
another offence such as they were convicted of, but a "violent" 
offence - they must be automatically released into the community.

Even if the board thinks the person might be a risk for committing 
another fraud, drug or other related offence, they must grant parole.

That's the law.

The new bill, Protecting Canadians By Ending Early Release for 
Criminals Act, is intended to work as a deterrent for criminals who 
commit serious crimes, regardless of the violent nature.

It also comes after a case in Quebec where police allege 150 persons 
were scammed of more than $50 million by Montreal money manager Earl Jones.

Obviously the massive public outcry over the Jones issue had an 
impact, but it was about time government sent a message to these criminals.

The change works to protect the innocent and punish the convicted - a 
novel idea.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart