SAD CASE SHOWS JAIL NO REAL ANSWER

Tammy Stanley Wrong to Rob Young Busker, but Prison Won't Help Her,
or Make Us Safer

Our courts and jails are filled with people like Tammy Stanley, the
Victoria woman sentenced to nine months in jail after she tried to
steal $5 from a 12-year-old busker.

They shouldn't be. The people with serious addictions and mental or
emotional illness aren't going to get better in jail. They'll do their
time and promise to obey probation orders and -- except in relatively
rare cases -- end up back in the same dangerous, damaging life.

Stanley pleaded guilty last week to robbery, theft and breaking and
entering. The only reason you've heard of her was because of the
botched attempt to grab a $5 bill from the busker's hat and the wild
melee that followed.

But she is a surrogate for thousands. The most conservative estimates
suggest two-thirds of inmates are addicted or suffering from
significant mental illness or emotional problems. The prison system
offers them little help.

Stanley's lawyer said she has "many demons that need to be addressed."
The pre-sentence report found she had been sexually abused at nine,
suffered more in foster homes and lived on the margins, addicted to
drugs.

That's not to fault the sentence. The courts work with the law as it
exists and sentences have to reflect society's abhorrence for acts
like grabbing money from young girls.

And anyway, Judge Ernie Quantz had no real options. There is no other
place to send people like Stanley.

The case is another reminder of why Attorney General Wally Oppal
should provide the resources to begin a community court program in
Victoria.

Under that model, Stanley would have been able to choose between
continuing in the normal court system or committing to the effort
needed to deal with her problems.

If she opted for change, she would be referred immediately to programs
and support. If she stopped going or failed to make progress, the case
would revert to the normal criminal court.

Community courts have been proven to help offenders change their lives
in ways that help them and reduce crime.

Instead, Stanley is likely back on the streets today. She was in
custody for almost three months before pleading guilty, time that
counts as five months toward her sentence. Most offenders serve less
than one-half their actual sentences.

Quantz summarized Stanley's situation: "This accused has been let down
by all those persons in her life who should have provided support and
guidance."

She, and thousands of others, are still being let down. They, their
victims and the community are all paying the price.