Some criminologists are calling the federal justice minister’s call for minimum jail times and longer sentences for those involved in drug crimes a method of distraction from more pressing issues.

“I think the… proposals are part of a political agenda rather than about public safety,” said Helmut-Harry Loewen, sociology professor at the University of Winnipeg with an expertise in criminology.

“There’s little in the legislation to combat gang activity.”

Loewen fears this is a ploy to distract public attention from the economic situation.

“They have all recognized that projecting a ‘tough on crime’ image is good for elections,” he said. “Politicians try to out-tough each other.”

James Lathlin is a former gang member in Winnipeg who has mixed feelings on the proposed legislation.

“You can throw these guys in jail but it won’t do nothing,” he said. “Most of these guys come from nothing anyways.”

He feels that instead of spending more money on keeping people in jail, the government should concentrate on improving social programs that would prevent the problem.

“ You can throw these guys in jail but it won’t do nothing, most of these guys come from nothing anyways.

James Lathlin, former gang member

“They’ll see their partners-in-crime in jail. They have time to make their gang stronger,” Lathlin said.

The legislation, originally proposed in 2007, was reintroduced by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson on Feb. 27.

It is back in discussion due to the increased gang violence in Canada, said Staff Sergeant John Ormondroyd of the Winnipeg Police Service.

“We’ve had a lot of gang violence over the years,” he said. “And [we’ve seen] a propensity to use guns. We see it here though we don’t get the publicity Vancouver or Toronto does.”

He feels the legislation will make potential or first-time offenders think twice before breaking the law.

“It may not act as a deterrent to the hardcore gang members, but at least we’ll have them off the street,” said Ormondroyd.

While he is skeptical of how helpful this legislation is for existing gang activity, Lathlin agrees with Ormondroyd that it could discourage people from offending for the first time.

U of W sociology student Nik Phillips doesn’t see it that way.

He believes some gang members might find tougher penalties attractive.

“The ‘I’m the baddest’ mentality appeals to some people,” he said, adding the legislation is “not a deterrent.”

Loewen calls for a more critical view of how Canada deals with law breakers.

“We need to roll back the justice system,” he said. “Disinvest in it and aim funds at studying the roots of gang activity.”

Published in Volume 63, Number 23 of The Uniter (March 12, 2009)