Would I be correct in saying that one of the problems we have in Canada's jails, as well as in most of the jails in western countries, has to do with the closing down in the 1970s and 1980s of the so-called mental institutions, meaning that many of the people who fell through the cracks—in other words, who needed the other social services and institutions that might have been of assistance--are ending up in jail? As a matter of fact, according to our preliminary studies—and Mr. Ménard will, I think, agree with me—80% of the folks in jail suffer from some kind of substance abuse and a very high percentage of inmates have some degree of mental issues, whereas individuals involved in organized crime may fall into that but tend not to because they are the purveyors of drugs and prostitutes and those other things, and while they may use the substance, they probably use it recreationally rather than otherwise. Would that be fairly accurate? If not, perhaps you could identify the areas in which it may not be.
On April 29th, 2010. See this statement in context.