Highest increase among provinces for house arrests

A Statistics Canada report released today shows Manitoba continues to have the fastest growing number of conditional sentences, says Progressive Conservative justice critic Gerald Hawranik, meaning convicted criminals avoid jail for the comfort of home.

According to the 2005/2006 Adult Correctional Services Report, Manitoba was the only province to have a double-digit percentage increase in criminals given conditional sentences. The report shows 1,152 enjoyed this luxury in 2005/2006 – 170 more than in the year previous, while Canada as a whole saw a 1.6% decrease.

“Manitoba saw a staggering 17.3% increase in house arrests while every other province saw either a decrease or nominal increase,” Hawranik said. “It’s a disturbing trend that the number of Manitoba criminals serving their sentences in our communities is rising each year at an alarming rate while other provinces are getting tougher on crime.”

Hawranik said PCs have consistently raised these concerns and this disturbing report confirms at least two conclusions.  

“When the NDP consistently allows criminals to serve their sentences in the community, it means our jails are overcrowded and the Attorney General isn’t providing crown prosecutors with the direction to ask for tougher sentences,” Hawranik said.

“A poorly managed justice system means Manitobans can’t be assured their communities are safe. What is the NDP doing today to ensure criminals serve their time behind bars where they belong?”