Sask. youth crime crackdown will backfire, says gang expert

Harsher sentences will not decrease youth crime, says the founder of a Saskatoon-based program that has helped more than 450 young people leave gangs.

On Tuesday, the provincial government released its report on crime after speaking withrural residents and others. One key recommendation calls for"increased consequences for crimes committed by young offenders."

Catholic priest Andr Poilivre,founder of Str8 Up, says there's no evidence a crackdown would decrease crime.

"It just won't work," Poilivre said. "Suppression won't work. What you need is intervention."

Poilivre, who has decades of experience with street gangs and inmates, saidthe young person's lonelinessand pain must be addressed. Focus on poverty, housing, racism and other societal issues rather than the length of sentences, he said.

"What is the cause that brings these young people to think that they're going to find recognition and meaning in their lives by joining a gang?It's not by more punishment,"Poilivre said.

He sympathizes with those who have been victimized, but the perception of a youth crime wave isincorrect. Youth crime severity in Saskatchewan is actually down by 30 per cent in the past decade, according to Statistics Canada.

Minister said rural residents wanted stronger response

Justice Minister Gordon Wyantsaid getting at the root cause of crime is important. The report contains several other recommendations to work with First Nations and other groups on these issues.

However, Wyant said rural residents told themyouth crime needs a stronger response.They told the committee "the system's not strict enough. People ... aren't suffering the consequences, not accepting responsibility for the actions,"Wyantsaid.

Wyant was asked whether government policy should be based on people's perceptions, rather than facts and evidence. He said evidence is important, but"in a lot of ways, perception is reality to people."

Wyantadmitted he's not surewhether harsher consequences will decrease youth crime.

"Well, I don't have any information on whether or not they do or whether they don't. The fact of the matter is there are some very, very serious crimes being committed in this province, and people need to be responsible for those," Wyant said.

The provincial government is working on a separate gang strategy with Str8 Up and other groups.Wyant said he'll be meeting with his provincial and federal counterparts in September to discuss further solutions.

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