Getting 'tough' on youth crime doesn't work

As the chair of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council of Waterloo Region, the call to toughen the Youth Criminal Justice Act compels me to comment. The call for tough sentencing, putting money aside to build more jails and the suggestion that youth crime is out of control might sound right or should I say "tough," but they have nothing whatsoever to do with good research.

In 2003, the new youth crime legislation was put in place to move Canada out of its dubious first place ranking for incarcerating more youth than most Western nations, including the United States. Frankly, the Canadian record on youth crime was embarrassing and in the end, child and youth workers, lawyers, police, educators, judges and citizens collectively agreed the high use of jail time had done nothing to decrease victimization. It had, however, increased the public fear of young people and thus widened the generational gap. It took several years before the politicians were willing to listen but listen they finally did and the focus on prevention over punishment was initiated. It has been said before, but we need to say it again: Crime across Canada and in our community has been decreasing since 1993.

Since the implementation of the new youth act, our community has seen less, not more, young offenders. Approaches to youth crime have become more immediate and focused on preventing repeat offences. That is small consolation for anyone victimized by crime or for those closest to them. There are and likely always will be tragic situations that make us reflect on the role of the law in restoration and healing. But it is time to take the politics out of the discussion. When citizens call for a get-tough approach, politicians should get to work and review the facts and build a case rooted in evidence. They should also understand that one tragic situation does not reflect on all young people.

Let's not confuse compassion and anger with good reasoning. Let's continue to care and support victims of crime and their families. It is the right thing to do. But when it comes to changing laws affecting the nation, let's base our decision-making on the facts.

Irene O'Toole, Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council of Waterloo Region
23 May 2006

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