"Issue Based Programming" and "Community Based Initatives&

[Michael Hardner]

Good to hear that common sense now includes spending money on social programs instead of jails. Ms. Redford was on CBC (!) this morning talking about keeping addicts out of jail and empowering the community.

Herald Tribute Article

Nine cabinet ministers have been tasked with developing a operational division within the Department of Justice to work closely with communities in finding ways to solve their problems, whatever they might be, she said.

She called it issue-based programming.

“It’s important that these are community-driven initiatives ... if a community identifies a need for enhanced programming around a youth shelter, then that’s something that we’ll want to work with that community on,” Redford told the Swan City Rotary club.

“The answer to it may not be more funding for an existing shelter. It may be a longer discussion about what shelters should do, how a shelter in a particular community should work, where there might be gaps in the system.”

The youth shelter was an example, but youth as a broader topic was brought up. She said as far as criminal activity is concerned, people are making some bad decisions early on.

Intervening now, she said, can keep them out of the justice system later on.

While serious enforcement and serious prosecution are parts of the Safe Communities initiative, it is crucial there be a proactive aspect as well.

“We are not going to be able to afford to keep locking people up, thinking that will solve the problem ... these people have ended up in a cycle they can’t get out of,” said Redford.

“There are a number of people who end up in the criminal justice system who – if they could be diverted to

[Pliny]

Good to hear that common sense now includes spending money on social programs instead of jails. Ms. Redford was on CBC (!) this morning talking about keeping addicts out of jail and empowering the community.

The government spending money will cure all social ills, I'm sure.

Let's build a Canadian ACORN network. Isn't that a "community based initiative"?

Money is so empowering.

Actually, who would be on the payroll of these "social programs"? Cui bono?

I think they could keep a lot of people out of jail if they revamped some of their laws and successfully rehabilitated first time offenders instead of giving them a slap on the hands and quick release back to the streets. But then how can you successfully rehabilitate them without a well paid network of government employees. There's the rub! No one wants to eliminate their job by being able to successfully rehabilitate first offenders.

Wait! Here's the economic solution! Just have one government employee oversee the community based initiatives and everyone else can be a volunteer. Brilliant! Until you realize that the community could do this itself anyway if volunteers were so plentiful.

The legalization (not decriminalization) of marijuana comes to mind as a possible solution to depopulating the jails.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

The tax grab from legalization would be immense. Let the cities have it, and let the feds save the money from decreased use of the legal system and prisons.

[Pliny]

The tax grab from legalization would be immense. Let the cities have it, and let the feds save the money from decreased use of the legal system and prisons.

I meant to be specific about "legalization" as opposed to "decriminalization". Decriminalization implies that government would still restrict and control it's usage.

Legalization implies it is not under control of government.

[Alta4ever]

Why are you worried? I can count on both hands the number of Albertans that watch the CBC, coincidentally its the same number of voters that vote Liberal and NDP (very soon the PC's will be included in this).