Pubdate: Tue, 02 Sep 2008
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

DRUG-FREE PRISONS

The frenzy of funding announcements is bound to increase as the 
federal government bounds towards an election this Fall.

Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day told reporters that the 
announcement of $120 million for a new anti-drug strategy in federal 
prisons (see story, page one), in no way coincided with a possible 
upcoming election.

That is hard to believe.

But whether it is a gear-up for the election or not, it's nice to 
know that some federal funding is coming our way. With two prisons in 
the community, there are a lot of Corrections Officers that live in 
Harrison, Agassiz and surrounding communities. Their jobs are 
dangerous enough without having to worry about convicts high on drugs 
creating scary situations.

Aside from the obvious benefits of a safer prison for Corrections 
Officers, the fact should be noted that with no drugs, convicts will 
pay for their crimes in a sober state.

That is a good thing.

Convicts should not be allowed to coast through the monotony of being 
in prison. They need to experience, and remember, every minute of 
their time in our justice system. That is why we have prison - it is 
not just to reform, as is the politically correct view of today. It 
is about paying the penalty for their sins. Victims need and want 
justice for criminal's actions. Being high is hardly a punishment.

The anti-drug policy makes sense, and hopefully the plan will be 
followed through on whether the Conservatives are re-elected to power 
or not in the not-too-distant future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom