Those are the words of Quebec’s Justice Minister, Jean-Marc Fournier, upon hearing that the Conservative Government has no plans to reconsider their Omnibus Crime Bill, Bill C-10.

So,  O.K. – it seems a given that the Federal Conservatives are bound and determined to pass their crime bill, despite all evidence that suggests it’s a terrible idea from any number of perspectives.  They say – “we were elected with a majority, this was an election promise, so we’re keeping our word.”  Fine. 

Then let’s work with them, and help them get it right – or as right as possible. 

We know that 70% of incarcerated youth have a mental health problem.  Let’s encourage our politicians to build in evidence based programs that work with offenders, to break the cycle of repeat offending.  Programs like Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which teaches mindfulness as a core skill.  Evidence based addictions programs.  Evidence based anger management programs.  Let’s tailor programs to individual needs.  Let’s develop individual progress plans for each inmate.

And let’s evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.  Evidence programs include fidelity measures. Let’s make sure we implement these programs according to what the evidence says works, not leave the workers in these new prisons to fend for themselves with little training and no support. 

And let’s look at the outcomes.  Let’s measure recidivism – are these inmates returning to jail?  If not, great!  If yes, have their crimes decreased in seriousness? 

And let’s make sure we have appropriate – evidence-based – after care programs, for proper reintegration into the communities – for their well being and our safety.  Programs that encourage these individuals who are leaving jail to apply the skills they’ve been taught.  Programs that help these people find jobs and give them needed support in their early days back in the community.

If we’re going to spend millions of dollars on incarceration, let’s do the best job we can.  And let’s measure our progress, and hold the government accountable for the results. 

Maybe, just maybe, we can create a made in Canada model that works.