JUSTICE, MERCY AND TRUTH IN ALBERTA

     For quite some time justice has been a constant topic in Alberta . There is a frustration with justice from several angles. In the two large cities gang violence has been a big concern . In other areas the public feels that they are not served adequately as far as safety and security are concerned . I certainly understand people's concerns .


     Where the wheels fall off the bus for me is how our politicians deal with the situation . I really object to politicians and the public harping about judges and the granting of bail to accused . The justice minister says that, "Regulations need to be altered and judges need to tighten up." It's not he judges who are at fault . Judges need the full support of politicians and the public . The reason judges grant so many people bail is that there is no place to put people . The politicians for the last 20 years have not been building infrastructure . Remand space and prison space has not been built while our population has gone from one million to three million . Remand prisoners are double and triple bunked . Judges have reservations about putting people in these conditions.


     The truth must be told by politicians about the lack if infrastructure when it comes to prison space . Judges are forced to show mercy when it comes to holding prisoners in unsafe conditions .


    Bad guys know when judges and the justice system are not supported and like this situation because their likely hood of being caught and dealt with is much less . If we want the bad guys to be dealt with so that there is less crime they have to be caught and kept instead of being allowed freedom while they easily delay the resolution of their case because the courts are clogged and can not keep up with the responsibilities . The bad guys do not want to be busted . Now they are not busted even if they are caught.


     Politicians have to quit political speak and speak about concrete solutions in solving the problem . Political speak is only to the public for the purpose of being reelected . Political speak does nothing to deal with the bad guys . The justice department is not directing the agenda so that crime is curtailed .