Mass incarceration is a growing reality in Canada. Our national incarceration rate reached an all-time high in 2012, with the “tough on crime” policy agenda of the federal government then in power bringing about unprecedented levels of mass incarceration (textbook). This paper will articulate on mass incarceration and the criminal law system that shows important characteristics in the Canadian legal system that are rendered within the context of over incarceration. Therefore, this paper argues that the mass incarceration is a problem in Canada and that they should address a change in the criminal law. Over incarceration is a value judgement, meaning that there is too much (video 4). Law and order perspectives …show more content…
Therefore, prisoners who are sentenced for life must remain in prison and will eventually die a natural cause. While the overall numbers of prisoners incarcerated in Canada alone are themselves cause for concern, the demographics of those population ages. Large number of Canadian prisons are now senior citizens and many with health problems related to advancing age. Furthermore, Canada’s prison population is not representative of demographics of Canada as a country. Aboriginal people are disproportionately represented and this disproportion is not going away but is rather increasing. It is problematic that people get thrown into jail even for minor offences because the government do not separate prisoners unless they commit an extreme crime. If little offenders are being put in jail, then officers might just be going after anyone who fits in the requirements of an image of someone in jail rather than an actual serious …show more content…
Large inmates of Canadian prisons are now senior citizens, many with health problems related to advancing age. Furthermore, Canada’s prison population is not representative o the demographics of Canada as a country. Aboriginal people are disproportionately represented and this disproportion is not going away but is rather increasing. more Canadians are being criminalized and incarcerated. Over incarceration has negative side effects including the over use of segregation and solidarity confinement as in means of population controls in prison. Statistics showed that in 2003-2004, there has been 7137 admissions and in 2012-2013 it has increased to 8221 admissions (video 4). Prisons are crowded because they are doing a good job and dealing with criminals by being “tough on crime”. In addition, the number of prisoners in federal corrections are on an all time high but there has been a slight reduction in the provincial and there are a large prison population especially in the indigenous heritage. Truth is an addition to the aim of reaching the most attractive determination of the debate. It has been suggested that the criminal law should be changed because mass incarceration is a problem in