VijaySappani.com

I support being tough on crime, I support strengthening our laws even against young offenders, but to plan life sentences for kids as young as 14 is disturbing and disgusting.   Some one once told me in a golf course on the best way to hold the club.  It is like holding a bird, tight enough to not let it fly, but not too much to kill it. I think Young offenders are the same. We need to tighten the laws, so that law enforcement has the powers to prosecute and prevent serious offenders, but we don’t need to act hysteric to kill the kid’s future. 

At 14, a child’s brain is still developing and sometimes we can not blame the kid of the violent crimes they may be committing. It might be the environment that they are growing and it is our responsibility to transfer and provide them the care to live like normal citizens, not give them a life sentence.

No religion, including the ultra conservative Christianity supports harsh punishment for children, in fact it is exactly the opposite of what Harper is suggesting. No kid before committing a crime thinks about the number of years in Jail, for that matter no criminals does it. Strong legislation’s in other countries including US have not reduced youth crime rates and the approach is very radical with

Tough leigslations are needed for repeat offenders, but first time offenders need to be reprimanding and rehabilitation. Good societies are built with love and care , not jail and cane.

Steve, we need tough laws for youth crime, not vendetta laws with youth crime. They are our children and our future.