BUILD HOSPITALS, NOT MORE JAILS

Re: Sentencing Law Could Cost Billions, June 23.

Why is the Conservative government so aggressive in spending billions
of taxpayer dollars on incarceration and new prisons?

The crime rate in Canada is at a 30-year low and we have a $56-billion
deficit, so how can Stephen Harper's government justify nearly
doubling the prison budget while numerous essential services suffer?
Shouldn't we use our limited finances to build and upgrade hospitals,
schools and infrastructure instead of thousands of brand new jail cells?

"Tough-on-crime" policies in the United States have resulted in one
out of every 100 Americans being locked up at a cost of billions of
dollars and a steadily worsening crime rate.

Prison-based economies are hallmarks of a failing society and
demonstrate disrespect for our fellow human beings. Let's work on
reducing the number of criminals instead of creating more spaces in
jail to be filled.

Jodie Emery, Vancouver.