In a previous column, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation noted how the cost of crime-related government services in Manitoba - jails, policing, the courts, etc. - is going up far faster than the average taxpayers’ pay cheque. Now it’s time to look at some outside the box ideas to control those costs.
 
First, it needs to be noted that our “rehabilitative” justice system is doing anything but rehabilitate criminals. Provincial government data obtained by Manitoba’s official opposition shows adult criminals, released from provincial facilities in Manitoba, reoffend 75 per cent of the time. Unfortunately, the youth reoffending rate is even higher.
 
Because our rehabilitative justice system isn’t doing its job, society is paying dearly. Think about the cost to taxpayers every time police have to spend time re-arresting released criminals. If you think that’s high, think about the cost of paying surgeons and nurses for treating those who are stabbed or shot by released inmates?
 
Even worse, think about the impact to families after a released criminal commits the unthinkable.
 
While there’s a cost for keeping criminals in jails and prisons, clearly there’s a huge cost to society for letting them out. Some like to claim the government can’t ‘get tough on crime’ as our jails are full and building new ones is too costly.
 
Talk about non-sense. Why on earth should taxpayers have to pay for new, expensive jails and prisons when less expensive alternatives exist?
 
Talk to Canadian military personnel and they’ll tell you about training exercises that require sleeping in heavy duty tents in the dead of winter. If our troops have to put up with such harsh conditions, should society really be concerned about the comfort of murderers, rapists and those that pepper spray children?
 
In fact, the State of Arizona has already saved millions as a result of housing criminals in tents instead of traditional bricks and mortar facilities. With plenty of space in existing prison and jail yards, our politicians should investigate that option.
 
Next up, consider a complaint often raised by police officers – that they often have to confront beefy criminals that have had lots of time in jail to work-out all day. Good point officers, why on earth are taxpayers paying for weight lifting equipment for inmates in the first place?
 
Sell the weights and gym equipment and use the funds to buy more work benches. A hard day’s work will not only give inmates plenty of exercise and new skills, having criminals work on something necessary (eg. prison uniforms, toilet paper) for prison use could help keep incarceration costs down for taxpayers.
 
Finally, why not do what the United States does and look at introducing private jails? As the public system is not doing a good job at rehabilitating criminals, some good old fashioned competition could lead to innovative solutions for rehabilitation and even reduce costs.
 
Consider a 2008 study conducted by Vanderbilt University. It found that states with both private and public prisons saw a much slower increase in costs than those with only government-run facilities.
 
One thing is for certain, there are plenty of initiatives our politicians could pursue to reduce the cost of crime-related government services. Instead of asking law-abiding taxpayers to give more, our politicians need start thinking outside the box.