https://www.sharonfraser.ca/2009/12/in-pursuit-of-justice-5/ Writer Editor Broadcaster Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:53:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 https://www.sharonfraser.ca/2009/12/in-pursuit-of-justice-5/comment-page-1/#comment-146 marilee pitttman` Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:06:13 +0000 http://www.sharonfraser.ca/?p=93#comment-146 Sharon, I read with interest your account of the robbery you experienced first hand. I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the trend to focus on the victim’s statement. As a lawyer I found them so infuriating. Seldom were they as candid and honest as your piece. Often times they were exaggerated bald faced vengeance, with a hope the offender would be whip-lashed in public and hanged. There was almost no way to cross examine the veracity of the statements. And they did carry a lot of weight.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the prison system and Harper’s agenda. I always maintained that putting young persons in custody was providing them with a training ground for a criminal career. The prisons are filled with the mentally ill, alcoholics and victims of physical and sexual abuse. There is little or no help for these problems. It is a revolving door.
What amazes me is that the statistics show year after year that crime is on the decrease, and yet the cry for stiffer sentences is louder and stronger each year. It is irresponsible for the government to foster such fear mongering to obtain votes.
I admire your clear headedness while under siege and the compassion you have shown to the offender. As you have said it took its toll on you. It is a big heart that doesn’t extract a pound of flesh.

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