Crime and Punishment: The Root Problems

Jim Rankin was one of the reporters that worked on the Star's Special Report Crime and Punishment. It is a thorough look at the state of crime in Canada.
Rankin spoke in lecture today.
Basically, crime is committed by people who are from a certain demographic background. They:

• are living in poverty
  
• have little education
  
• are mentally ill
  
• have addictions and behaviour problems

Rankin's conclusion for crime prevention in Canada targets these root problems.
Better housing, support systems for students and rehabilitation for the mentally ill and addicted would help.
Target the roots, and further up there is less crime, more stability and less people in prison.

Putting people in prison does not help reduce crime. It may deter criminals for a short time, but in the end it only makes problems worse.
The United States has this problem now.
Millions of dollars are spent on a problem that is never fixed. Money is spent on the prison system and has little effect.
Money should be spent on education, rehabilitation and support programs. This would target the problem at the root and stop it before it grows into something out of control.