ANGRY B.C. JUDGE SOUNDS OFF AT DAY

The chief judge of B.C.'s provincial court is firing back at Public
Safety Minister Stockwell Day, saying a recent critique by Mr. Day of
B.C. judges is "melodramatic," "simplistic" and "misleading."

In an online commentary last week, Mr. Day blasted the judges for
allegedly handing out short jail sentences, particularly for repeat
offenders.

"Especially in some courts in the lower mainland there seems to be a
trend, if not a rule, that the more crimes you get busted for, the
less jail time you get hit with," Mr. Day wrote. He said unnamed B.C.
police chiefs have complained to him that many offenders have been
convicted "up to 70, 80 or even 90 times!"

He said by handing out shorter sentences, judges are allowing convicts
to "cool their heels" in provincial jails rather than federal ones,
where there are more rehabilitation programs for drug addicts.

Stung by Mr. Day's criticisms, Chief Judge Hugh Stansfield said
yesterday, "If Mr. Day wants to come out and spend some time with me
and learn how the system works, I'd be delighted to do that." "But I
find his comments unhelpful and misleading."

Judge Stansfield says Mr. Day is referring to the particular problem
of repeat criminal offenders -- many of whom are homeless with mental
illnesses -- who live in Vancouver's notorious downtown east side.

He says Mr. Day is wrong to "melodramatically suggest" that a
significant number of offenders have been charged more than 70 or 80
times.

He also says Mr. Day is wrong in saying that the more times people get
charged and convicted, the shorter their sentences become.

In fact, he says, the opposite is true.

"I don't think it's very helpful to simplify a very, very complex
social problem that requires a response from the whole community,"
Judge Stansfield said.