Quote:
Originally Posted by TRtower
Yeah, "life" in prison is often a slap on the wrist here in Canada, then soon back out to kill again. One of the very few things I admire about the US is their general much more appropriate sentences! Just makes sense, intentionally take someone's life and you should then be locked up for the remainder of yours! In Canada, that's considered cruel and unjust punishment! Gawd, and our young offenders act is a joke!
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All evidence shows that longer/harsher criminal sentences just increases crime rates by causing an increase in rectivism. "Tough on crime" doesn't work. A compassionate and forgiving justice system, coupled with an effective social safety net, is the best way to lower crime rates.
That said, for a very serious crime like first degree murder, locking up for life is logical, IMO. The paragraph above applies more to lesser violent crimes and drug offices, which in the USA are punished way too severely.
Although it should be noted that in many cases the excessive incarceration rates in the USA come not from harsher penalties in the laws, but from a highly corrupt prosecution system that results in defendants not receiving fair trials.