Re: ‘Pundits weight in on crime,’ April 2 Gazette:
While it is understandable for victims’ loved ones to crave revenge after an assault, legal systems must not exist to serve vengeance but justice. Demonizing the attacker is easy but at the end of the day he/she is still human and deserves human rights.
So where is the line between vengeance and justice, punishment and cruelty? I agree with Heidi Illingworth, who finds that longer sentencing would prevent criminals from attacking while in jail, but once out they are bound to repeat the same or other offenses. In some cases, for example homicide, longer sentencing is appropriate, but while in jail individuals are immersed in jail culture. Criminals only learn to co-operate with each other and not how to interact within society.
I also agree that proactive measures ensuring that criminals who are released are healthy and safe are more effective than lengthening sentences. Focusing funding on child and youth care services and rehabilitation centres is a better priority for government spending.
Liz Elliot says stricter laws are less effective and more expensive. And you may have heard about the strictness of Singapore’s justice system — losing a limb for a third-strike theft. But their crime rate is unbelievably low because terror is a deterrent. Is that the society we want to live in?
Susan Hartung, St. Albert
