Simply put, Mr. Speaker, there are not enough. We have to do better to deal with the victim, to provide that person with a sensitive and effective way of overcoming the trauma of crime and its consequences.
At the same time the point that my friend makes is surely rhetorical. With regard to the characterization of the cushy experience for the offender, the free legal aid, the counselling and the rehabilitation, there is a fairer way to characterize that. In my response to the member please let me try.
First, aid is nothing more than a recognition by society that those who are charged with an offence which might result in their incarceration are entitled if they cannot afford it themselves to make full answer and defence to the charge against them. I would not take my friend, the hon. member, as suggesting that we deny that. I hope not.
It is fundamental in our society that if the powers of the state, the mechanisms of the police with all their investigative powers, the prosecuting authorities with all their resources and the power and majesty of the court itself are being brought to bear against an individual who might be put away as a result of the charge, and it is part of the values of this society that we are going to furnish that person with legal representation to answer the charge in that circumstance through legal aid if they cannot afford it.
Second, my friend referred to counselling and rehabilitation. In the criminal justice system we try to achieve a number of things at the same time. Yes, we try for retribution when we can. We try always for fairness in our process and justice in the outcome but we also try for rehabilitation because it has been recognized throughout that unless we take the offenders and make an effort to turn them around through counselling if
necessary, through rehabilitation if necessary, it is more than likely that they will be back again.
If we can reduce that prospect and the financial and human cost that it involves through an investment in rehabilitation then that is the wiser course. I do not take my hon. friend, the hon. member, as suggesting that we abandon that as one of our responses to crime.
In terms of prisons themselves they must be humane. Obviously we are revoking the person's liberty. The last time I visited it did not seem to be a terribly comfortable environment. Often it is terribly uncomfortable. Prisons reflect the values that we have as a country. We incarcerate. Our purpose is not to torture.
In terms of parole, the system expressly falls upon the parole authorities to take into account all circumstances, including the victim and the offence itself. I can assure the hon. member that is exactly what happens in parole hearings from day to day.
Are we doing enough for victims of crime? We are not. We must make every effort to be responsive to their needs and to ensure that their perspective is brought to bear throughout the system. At the same time I suggest that there is a balancing as in everything else in life. At present matters are roughly in balance.