Pubdate: Tue, 09 Sep 2014
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: James Keller
Page: A6
Referenced: More Than We Can Afford: The Costs of Mandatory Minimum 
Sentencing: http://mapinc.org/url/02B070m8

MANDATORY MINIMUMS ARE INEFFECTIVE, B.C. RIGHTS GROUP SAYS

Ottawa's push to implement mandatory minimum sentences is potentially 
adding billions of dollars in costs to the criminal justice system 
without reducing crime or making the public safer, says a report 
released Monday by a British Columbia-based rights group. Instead, 
the B.C. Civil Liberties Association's report says longer prison 
sentences can actually make inmates more likely to re-offend while 
disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.

The report adds to criticism that has followed the shift to mandatory 
minimums. The Conservative government has doubled the number of 
offences that carry compulsory sentences in less than a decade as 
part of its tough-on-crime agenda.

"The research shows that mandatory minimum sentences are ineffective 
at deterrence, they have no demonstrated effect on reducing crime and 
they do nothing to enhance public safety," the report's author, Raji 
Mangat, told a news conference in Vancouver.

In fact, Mangat said research has found offenders who serve longer 
sentences are more likely to commit crimes once they are released.

The Conservatives have added dozens of mandatory minimum sentences, 
from drug and gun crimes to sex offences. The Canadian Bar 
Association says there are now at least 57 offences that carry 
mandatory minimums, up from 29 in 2005.

Mangat said the federal government has never provided a detailed 
accounting of just how much mandatory minimum sentences are costing 
taxpayers as more offenders spend longer periods of time in custody. 
She said the total cost is likely in the billions, particularly when 
such sentences are combined with other changes that have reduced 
credit for time served before trial and eliminated conditional 
sentences for some offenders.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom