PUBLIC FED UP WITH CRIMINALS

The mere idea that "prison works" as a deterrent against crime is
enough to rattle the chains of those who advocate a soft approach to offenders.

These critics often seem more concerned about the plight of criminals
than their victims and are totally out of touch with mainstream Canadians.

Criminals go about the business of victimizing law-abiding citizens,
then often receive what the public considers derisory sentences when
caught -- plus the chance at early release and a chance to commit more crimes.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has caught the public's mood perfectly.
Ignoring the opposition of senior federal bureaucrats, Harper's
government proposes mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug
trafficking crimes, weapons offences, crimes committed while on
parole and by repeat offenders.

In addition, the Tories aim to end the option of house arrest for a
wide range of serious offences from violence to impaired driving
causing death or serious injury. Serious drug offences will also net
minimum jail time and the "faint-hope clause" allowing criminals
sentenced to life to apply for early parole will be eliminated.

Federal Public Safety Department officials dismissed the ideas in an
analysis just a week before the Tories were elected in January,
claiming "credible research shows that longer sentences do not
contribute to public safety".

However, political scientist Ian Lee of Carleton University says
those bureaucrats are ignoring a lot of research "showing that
stiffer punishment is effective in deterring crime."

Indeed, part of the successful strategy that has dramatically cut
Regina's chronic car theft problem has involved locking up repeat
offenders for longer periods.

There's an even better example in England and Wales, where the prison
population has soared by 85 per cent since 1993 to the highest,
per-capita, in Western Europe. Meanwhile, crime has fallen by 44 per
cent, leading Michael Howard, the UK's former police and crime
minister, to famously declare that "prison works".

Crime prevention and the rehabilitation of criminals remain
important, but polls show a majority of Canadians support tougher
action on crime.

In the court of public opinion, the Conservatives are winning their case.