NCJ Number
184243
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2000 Pages: 323-340
Date Published
July 2000
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This analysis of public attitudes toward sentencing in Canada presents data from a survey of a representative sample of adult residents and concludes that a clear need exists for public policy to move away from simple rhetoric regarding harsh or soft sentencing to a debate about what is intelligent and fair.
Abstract
The discussion notes that Canada lacks a sensible and defensible sentencing policy and that the problems with sentencing are much more serious than the often-repeated mantra that sentences are not harsh enough. Most Canadians are intelligent enough to understand that harsher sentences are not the most effective way to control crime in general or youth crime in particular. In fact, most Canadians would prefer to invest in non-prison sanctions or prevention than to invest in more prisons for adults or youth. It appears that the public prefers that their political leaders and their judges seek sensible ways of using resources that would also hold adults and youth accountable for what they have done. Restorative approaches such as family group conferences would appear to meet criteria that would address public concerns about sentencing. Tables, notes, and 17 references (Author abstract modified)