It might be a little dangerous to start from the premise that the system doesn't work, because what we want, and what your colleagues today say they want, is something which will only be used exceptionally. So if a country like Canada wants something which is absolutely exceptional, given our crime rates, we should not have such a high number of people who are declared dangerous offenders each year.
But I agree that there is a real problem with resources. In some situations, a crown prosecutor might think he can argue a case, but will not do so because he might not be given enough freedom or time to prepare a case for court.