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Tough Crime Approach

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Tough Crime Approach
In order for the criminal justice system to function as an effective institution, Canadians must decide what they want the system to achieve. Stephen Harper, the previous Prime Minister of Canada, came into power in 2006 and implemented a variety of legislative and policy changes designed to be tough on crime. The tough on crime approach is an important part of the criminal justice system because it is currently being used in the Canadian courts and correctional facilities. This paper will begin by discussing the tough on crime approach and its elements. It will then examine the models successes and failures. Finally, it will explore why it is not an appropriate method in dealing with crime. Harper’s tough on crime approach to criminal justice …show more content…
This means that Harper wants to remove offenders from society, ultimately preventing individuals from reoffending. Although the tough on crime approach has proven to be effective in Canada, it has many criticisms. Firstly, Bill C-10, also known as the Safe Streets and Communities Act, will require a mandated incarceration for minor offences. It will also justify poor treatment of inmates, and make their reintegration into society more difficult (Kendall, 2013). Due to these factors this bill dramatically increased the population in prisons, which also resulted in overcrowding. Canada’s prisons are extremely full and many prisoners are forced to double-bunk in shared cells (Kendall, 2013). These cells are only five square meters which means prisons do not provide practical living conditions for prisoners (Dunnette, 2011). Harper’s tough on crime approach clearly ignores the rights of the …show more content…
Furthermore, the paper discussed my personal feelings on why I do not think the tough on crime approach to criminal justice is effective. I outlined that the majority of those convicted of crimes were from marginalized groups and that law-abiding tax payers are responsible for funding new legislation and criminals’ prison costs. Finally, the essay mentioned a solution to the problem, such as focusing on a more rehabilitative approach to crime. In conclusion, Harper’s tough on crime approach to criminal justice is negatively affecting society because it ignores the rights of those convicted, and is an excessive cost to the state. Therefore, Canada must enact a rehabilitative approach of criminal justice in order to deter
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