March 27, 2009
LANGLEY MP MARK WARAWA JOINS JUSTICE MINISTER IN TOUGHENING UP SENTENCING LAWS
“As it stands, time offenders spend in custody while they wait for trial is credited as double time towards their sentence,” says Warawa. “So if an offender spends six months in jail waiting for their trial, and is sentenced to one year in prison – he actually is entitled to walk out the courtroom door that day.”
“We all know that Langley is not immune to violent crime,” says Warawa. “And we are aware that toughening up the weak sentencing laws that the Liberal government brought in is required to give these criminals a clear message that their crimes will not be tolerated.”
“Time served in prison need to reflect the seriousness of the crime,” says the Langley MP. “Some sentences may sound tough, but are undermined by introducing conditional sentences, intermittent sentences, suspended sentences, merged sentences, concurrent sentences or parole after as little as one-sixth of the sentence served. When you add to that the 2 for 1 rule, you have some offenders whose parole eligibility date is actually before the date of sentencing. That is absolutely ridiculous,” he added.
“The Conservative Party campaigned on a promise to restrict courts from giving extra credit for pre-trial custody,” says Warawa. “As well, Provincial and territorial governments have repeatedly called for restrictions on credit for time served before trial.”
The proposed bill will also ensure people denied bail because of a past criminal record or for violating bail should not receive extra credit for time served before trial.
“These practices, developed under the Liberals, have been shown to be far too lenient,” says Warawa. “We now call on all parties to provide unanimous consent to ensure fast passage of this important legislation.”
