THE RIGHT THING TO DO

It's money well spent.

Last Monday, the federal government introduced legislation that would
abolish accelerated parole, which allows non-violent offenders a
get-out-of-jail free card after serving only one-sixth of their sentence.

Scrapping the old system will cost approximately $60 million a year.

The early parole system for "white-collar" criminals was first
introduced in 1992 when government officials took a hack saw to expenditures.

Shorter sentences mean lower prison-operating costs.

Fair enough, but it also sent a message to any "non-violent" offender
such as scam artists and drug dealers.

Not to mention it was a slap in the face to their victims.

Public Safety Minister, Peter Van Loan said Canadians were surprised
to learn that unless the National Parole Board has reasonable grounds
to believe these offenders would commit a violent offence, not
another offence such as they were convicted of, but a "violent"
offence - they must be automatically released into the community.

Even if the board thinks the person might be a risk for committing
another fraud, drug or other related offence, they must grant parole.

That's the law.

The new bill, Protecting Canadians By Ending Early Release for
Criminals Act, is intended to work as a deterrent for criminals who
commit serious crimes, regardless of the violent nature.

It also comes after a case in Quebec where police allege 150 persons
were scammed of more than $50 million by Montreal money manager Earl Jones.

Obviously the massive public outcry over the Jones issue had an
impact, but it was about time government sent a message to these criminals.

The change works to protect the innocent and punish the convicted - a
novel idea.