I am deeply concerned about the proposed omnibus Crime Bill. Already our jails are full of people that should not be there, people who suffer from mental illness and/or systemic poverty and discrimination. In BC, our social assistance rates are so low, many people cannot survive without breaking the law.
Under the proposed crime legislation the most vulnerable (people with mental illness and First Nations’ persons) will be hardest hit. These two groups are already disproportionally represented in the jails.
I am also concerned that putting non-violent people in jail will not rehabilitate them, but will expose them to other hardened criminals and pull them in deeper to the criminal lifestyle.
I would rather see my tax dollars spent on social programs such as subsidized housing, child care, mental health services, and income and education supports than spent on punishing people that our society neglected back when they needed assistance, often as young children.
I believe a more effective and less expensive way to reduce crime over the long term is to focus on reducing inequality in Canadian Society. Although Canada is not as unequal as the USA, the gap between the rich and poor in Canada is growing rapidly.
Sincerely,
Robyn Newton

and the link to donate is:
http://www.ndact.com/index.php/how-can-i-help/donate

Address:
NDACT
P.O. Box 15
Honeywood, Ontario
L0N 1H0

Hope that helps! :-)

October 13, 2010 • 2:36 pm (Edit) Dear Frances,

Thank you for this very valuable summary of the discussion. I was away during most of it and unable to participate. I see now my participation would have been largely unnecessary, given the breadth and depth of the coverage. I am pleased to see Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” leading the resources.

Our last WILPF meeting in Vancouver featured a pair of speakers from an organization espousing the elimination of prostitution for many of the reasons outlined in your summary. One of the speakers was a former prostitute, who indicated that many women in that trade, herself included, have grappled with issues around self esteem and communication skills with members of the opposite sex. So such counseling might be useful on a voluntary basis for people wanting to exit that trade as well as for buyers.

I think that harm reduction here, as in drug addiction, is a band-aid for the short term. It is a valuable piece of the puzzle, but far more resources need to go into prevention and rehabilitation. On a societal basis this involves education, health, and the elimination of poverty. A tall order perhaps, but an idea whose time is overdue.

Thanks again for moderating and summarizing this discussion.

Barb Taylor

Thank you for this very valuable summary of the discussion. I was away during most of it and unable to participate. I see now my participation would have been largely unnecessary, given the breadth and depth of the coverage. I am pleased to see Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” leading the resources.

Our last WILPF meeting in Vancouver featured a pair of speakers from an organization espousing the elimination of prostitution for many of the reasons outlined in your summary. One of the speakers was a former prostitute, who indicated that many women in that trade, herself included, have grappled with issues around self esteem and communication skills with members of the opposite sex. So such counseling might be useful on a voluntary basis for people wanting to exit that trade as well as for buyers.

I think that harm reduction here, as in drug addiction, is a band-aid for the short term. It is a valuable piece of the puzzle, but far more resources need to go into prevention and rehabilitation. On a societal basis this involves education, health, and the elimination of poverty. A tall order perhaps, but an idea whose time is overdue.

Thanks again for moderating and summarizing this discussion.

Barb Taylor