It’s been almost two years since the federal Conservatives proclaimed its Truth in Sentencing legislation.
And despite predictions by the soft-on-crime crowd — that federal prisons across Canada would bust at the seams as a result of this new law — nothing of the sort has happened.
The Truth in Sentencing law bans the use of 2-1 credit judges had been giving criminals for pre-sentence time served. Under the new law, judges can only give 1-1 credit for time served, or 1.5-1 in rare cases.
That was supposed to cause prison populations to skyrocket, according to groups like the John Howard Society.
But so far, it hasn’t happened.
Prison populations this week, according to senior officials in Correctional Services Canada, stood at 14,800. That’s down 35 inmates from the last time we reported on this four months ago. In September, 2011 we told you there were 14,835 inmates in the system.
According to projections CSC officials released over two years ago, the new law was suppose to see the prison population soar to 17,800 by this time. It hasn’t happened.
And, oh, by the way, the prison capacity is 15,033. So we’re still under capacity.
Granted, there are still cases that began before the truth in sentencing law came into effect which have not made it through the court process yet. Those cases will still be subject to the former sentencing provisions. That’s why you still hear about some criminals getting 2-1 credit.
The law isn’t retroactive. But those cases are slowly winding their way through the system.
We’ll keep you posted. But so far, all the fearmongering about prison populations going through the roof have not materialized.
Not even close, actually.
Hmmmm, no comments from the bleeding hearts?
I guess they are only interested in scare-mongering. Now that the facts are in they’ve nothing to say.
Typical.
So you’re arguing for less prisons to be built and are against the omnibus crime bill? And you are assuming there is no overcrwording in any prison in Canada–a practice that makes prisons more dangerous–when the facts are clearly not with you?
… so, is this good news?
… i’m confused … tom wants more people in jail for longer sentences, hence his cheerleading for the crime agenda …
… but if the numbers are not growing, does this mean that the crime agenda is not doing what it was supposed to?
… and weren’t those predictions of population growth from the prison service?
… isn’t that where we all got our estimates?
mm
the System – needs to be more accountable for the repeat offenders. They slap them on the wrist over and over again, and just send them to jail… what is the point?? they do not get any rehab there, they learn more street smart stuff, drugs are brought in there, the officers and staff are risking there lives on a daily basis…. They dont learn the first time… nor do they have respect for the law not to mention anyone. The solution is to build more jails…. give me a break……. talk about accommodating them. If the system had any backbone they would initiate boot camps that these repeat offenders work from 6 in the morning until 10 at night in pink overalls until they are to tired to even think about drugs, robbing people, murders, etc. They feed them in jail, school them and everything else the system hands to them on a silver platter which all of us victims pay for. If these repeat offenders had to work for a change and put into the community instead of screwing them day after day. They might think twice about committing crimes if they had to actually work for a change.. Its time they start making these offenders accountable… over 50 and fed up with the whole system