BROKEN WINDOWS NORTH:

Tories hint at more prisons (TONDA MACCHARLES, 4/04/06, Toronto Star)

The Conservative government says it is prepared to build more jails if necessary to contain all the offenders caught by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's tougher-on-crime agenda.

The acknowledgement came from Justice Minister Vic Toews after a speech by Harper to the Canadian Professional Police Association yesterday in which the Prime Minister pledged more cops on the street, more prisoners serving their full sentences, and no more "house arrest" for serious offenders.

"This government will send a strong message to criminals. If you do a serious crime you're going to start doing serious time," said Harper.

Harper said his plans to bring in longer mandatory jail terms for drug, gun and gang-related crime, and to repeal the legal right to early release for prisoners who serve two-thirds of their sentences are among the government's first law-and-order legislative priorities.

His promises — including a pledge to kill the "faint hope" clause that allows prison lifers to make a bid for parole — prompted big applause and a standing ovation from the roomful of cops representing more than 50,000 police officers across the country.

The American example demonstrates the wisdom of not tolerating social deviance.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 4, 2006 9:56 AM