wonderwoman
06-29-2001, 09:08 PM
This article was in the Ottawa Sun and although I would rather see any money that the system can get out of crooks go to victims or their families, this is a step better then the crooks having it!!!
Does your system have a process to force crooks to pay??
Riot inmates on hook
Province seeks restitution
By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, Queen's Park Bureau Chief
TORONTO -- Provincial inmates who riot will be expected to pay for the
damages under new government policy, Correctional Services Minister Rob
Sampson says.
A riot at the Peterborough Jail on the weekend rendered the institution
uninhabitable and stuck taxpayers with a $250,000 price tag in repairs
and extra security costs.
A 7 1/2-hour standoff at the Whitby Jail on June 12 caused $40,000
damage -- and the overall tab for riots each year hits about $2 million.
"I'm pretty frustrated with the damage that has been caused as a result
of a number of actions at the various jails across the province,"
Sampson told the Sun. "It's inappropriate that taxpayers' assets are treated
like this and the taxpayers need to be properly defended."
Sampson said his ministry will launch civil actions to recoup the
losses from inmates who riot.
The minister is also instructing his staff to make sure that Crown
attorneys attach restitution orders to any criminal charges laid against
inmates.
CRIMINAL CHARGES
Sampson said restitution orders are being pursued in the Whitby Jail
situation where criminal charges were laid by police against eight
inmates, and will also be the case in Peterborough if prisoners are charged.
Asked if most inmates would be able to pay back the damages, Sampson
said they won't find out until they establish a claim.
"I want my money back on behalf of the taxpayers," Sampson said.
A government bill currently working its way through the legislature
will also lead to more disciplinary action against prisoners who
participate in riots, he said.
Under current legislation, internal discipline charges are dropped when
criminal charges are laid in a correctional institution.
"The bill before the House would allow us to do both," Sampson said.
"We need to manage our own system internally. The courts can manage the
criminal system, that's what they're there for."
Does your system have a process to force crooks to pay??
Riot inmates on hook
Province seeks restitution
By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, Queen's Park Bureau Chief
TORONTO -- Provincial inmates who riot will be expected to pay for the
damages under new government policy, Correctional Services Minister Rob
Sampson says.
A riot at the Peterborough Jail on the weekend rendered the institution
uninhabitable and stuck taxpayers with a $250,000 price tag in repairs
and extra security costs.
A 7 1/2-hour standoff at the Whitby Jail on June 12 caused $40,000
damage -- and the overall tab for riots each year hits about $2 million.
"I'm pretty frustrated with the damage that has been caused as a result
of a number of actions at the various jails across the province,"
Sampson told the Sun. "It's inappropriate that taxpayers' assets are treated
like this and the taxpayers need to be properly defended."
Sampson said his ministry will launch civil actions to recoup the
losses from inmates who riot.
The minister is also instructing his staff to make sure that Crown
attorneys attach restitution orders to any criminal charges laid against
inmates.
CRIMINAL CHARGES
Sampson said restitution orders are being pursued in the Whitby Jail
situation where criminal charges were laid by police against eight
inmates, and will also be the case in Peterborough if prisoners are charged.
Asked if most inmates would be able to pay back the damages, Sampson
said they won't find out until they establish a claim.
"I want my money back on behalf of the taxpayers," Sampson said.
A government bill currently working its way through the legislature
will also lead to more disciplinary action against prisoners who
participate in riots, he said.
Under current legislation, internal discipline charges are dropped when
criminal charges are laid in a correctional institution.
"The bill before the House would allow us to do both," Sampson said.
"We need to manage our own system internally. The courts can manage the
criminal system, that's what they're there for."