Tougher justice system could prevent crimes
Just want to share my letter to the editor which was published in today's Ottawa Citizen. It's in response to an opinion piece on our justice system (published Jan 13).
The Ottawa Citizen
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Re: Lock your doors, Jan. 13.
The senseless 1981 murder of my sister Sheryl Gardner is an example of how Canada's justice system fails to protect Canadians.
After serving eight years of a 10-year sentence, Ralph Power was released on mandatory supervision, which is today's equivalent of statutory release. Within months of his early release, and despite locked doors, Power posed as a repairman to gain access to my sister's apartment and beat her to death with a hammer.
Like that of so many offenders, Power's life of crime escalated over time -- robberies, assaults, arson and murder. A life of foster homes and jail cells had left Power friendless and with few social skills.
So when Power committed murder after an early release in 1981, we must consider the society-is-to-blame theory. But we must also consider a justice system that determined Power safe to return to the community. And we must ask ourselves what went wrong here.
My sister's murder was a result of Canada's justice system failing to protect. Releasing persistent offenders such as Power to the community does not work.
Quite simply, if Power had served his full 10-year sentence in prison, my sister would be alive. And Sheryl represents countless other victims who have been silenced by our justice system.
While understanding that the causes and cures for crime should be explored, I believe we need a much tougher justice system. I agree with the comments of retired probation officer David Fraser, who states that we need to accept rising prison populations. Because our prisons are overcrowded, it shouldn't mean we let offenders out early to make room for more. It means we need to build more prisons so entire sentences can be served and public safety is maintained.
Mr. Fraser also states that should our justice system fail its duty to protect, the public should have the right of redress. For my sister and thousands of victims like her, let's make some noise. Readers can voice their opinions at powernoparole.ca.
Carolyn Gardner
Ottawa
PS - my original response was about 1200 words but they asked me to trim it down to 300 so it could be a letter to the editor. Needless to say the trimmed version leaves out some good points so...oh well, we're all busy so this trimmed version is probably best.
PSS- since Power is now eligible for parole once again, let's hope the justice system remembers what happened in 1981
The Ottawa Citizen
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Re: Lock your doors, Jan. 13.
The senseless 1981 murder of my sister Sheryl Gardner is an example of how Canada's justice system fails to protect Canadians.
After serving eight years of a 10-year sentence, Ralph Power was released on mandatory supervision, which is today's equivalent of statutory release. Within months of his early release, and despite locked doors, Power posed as a repairman to gain access to my sister's apartment and beat her to death with a hammer.
Like that of so many offenders, Power's life of crime escalated over time -- robberies, assaults, arson and murder. A life of foster homes and jail cells had left Power friendless and with few social skills.
So when Power committed murder after an early release in 1981, we must consider the society-is-to-blame theory. But we must also consider a justice system that determined Power safe to return to the community. And we must ask ourselves what went wrong here.
My sister's murder was a result of Canada's justice system failing to protect. Releasing persistent offenders such as Power to the community does not work.
Quite simply, if Power had served his full 10-year sentence in prison, my sister would be alive. And Sheryl represents countless other victims who have been silenced by our justice system.
While understanding that the causes and cures for crime should be explored, I believe we need a much tougher justice system. I agree with the comments of retired probation officer David Fraser, who states that we need to accept rising prison populations. Because our prisons are overcrowded, it shouldn't mean we let offenders out early to make room for more. It means we need to build more prisons so entire sentences can be served and public safety is maintained.
Mr. Fraser also states that should our justice system fail its duty to protect, the public should have the right of redress. For my sister and thousands of victims like her, let's make some noise. Readers can voice their opinions at powernoparole.ca.
Carolyn Gardner
Ottawa
PS - my original response was about 1200 words but they asked me to trim it down to 300 so it could be a letter to the editor. Needless to say the trimmed version leaves out some good points so...oh well, we're all busy so this trimmed version is probably best.
PSS- since Power is now eligible for parole once again, let's hope the justice system remembers what happened in 1981
posted by Carolyn Gardner at 9:43 p.m. 
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