I would take issue with that somewhat. My feeling is that if people are in jail rather than in their homes--maybe they were arrested for selling drugs out of their homes. If they're in jail instead of in their homes--maybe they were arrested and convicted for an offence against children or for a sexual offence. Instead of being back in the neighbourhood where they committed the offence, if they're in prison, I would say we have a safer society.
But I will take issue with the statement that it is evident that the ambition behind Bill C-9 is to increase the use of actual incarceration. I think the goal for all of us here is to try to find a way where we don't put more people in jail. I don't think it's anyone's goal to throw everyone in jail.
The goal is to create a safer society and to restore balance to our justice system. The overwhelming message we've been getting is that victims feel they're left out in the cold and that people are tired of a revolving door to the justice system.
I want to put those two points on the record. Certainly, our goal is not to cram the jails full of people. It's to restore a sense of balance to the system.
You're all welcome to comment.