General

Canada’s “tough on crime” legislation doesn’t work for youth

Lawmakers in US and Britain say prison-positive approach is outdated

Canada’s “tough on crime” bill is a mystery to other seemingly like-minded nations: judges and criminologists in the US, Britain, and Australia have rejected similar policies in favour of research showing that the jail-intensive approach does not decrease crime among youth. Foreign lawmakers say that Canadian legislation that is tough on young offenders is outdated and ineffective. Even Texas—once known for its strict policies regarding youth criminals—will have closed down six youth-incarceration institutions over the past 15 years by August 1.

The Globe and Mail

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