Posted on 12/05/2006 2:06:38 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
Canada's new government ends tattoo program for convicted criminals
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - (Dec. 4, 2006) - Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety announced that Canada's new government will not continue the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) one-year tattooing pilot program.
Under the previous government, CSC began a pilot project in six of its 58 federal correctional institutions in August of 2005 to offer inmates tattoos.
The cost of the one-year operation was approximately $600,000, plus prior start-up costs, which totalled approximately $350,000.
"Our government will not spend taxpayers' money on providing tattoos for convicted criminals," said Minister Day. "Our priority is to have an effective federal corrections system that protects Canadians, while providing inmates with access to acceptable health care and treatment programs."
Corrections Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and other outside organizations, continues to implement health and education programs to help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases within the correctional setting.
These health and education programs include immunization against Hepatitis A and B, voluntary screening for early detection and treatment of infection, and education to ensure inmates understand the risks associated with illicit tattoo practices.
Canada's new government wants to put taxpayers' money where it will count most - tackling crime and crime prevention.
Funding has already been announced to add 1,000 more Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) personnel to focus on such law enforcement priorities as tackling gun and drug smuggling and increasing border security.
The 2006 budget has also allocated $20 million over two years for youth crime prevention with a focus on guns, gangs and drugs.
Last budget also included $26 million over two years to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the federal corrections and justice system.
What's next? Free condoms?
Branding, try that.
Aside from the stupidity of tattoos, giving them to prisoners while taxing the populous is insanely stupid.
Canada Ping
WTF?? whose idea was this in the first place?
I like tattoo's. It would be tough to get all the stupid people to wear a big red 'S' on their forehead so we can all identify them, but they get tattoos willingly.
I'll take up a collection for any of them who are willing to have their crimes tattooed on their forehead, though my guess is that's not what they're talking about.
and I am not talking about EVERYONE who has a tatto- a nice manly arm tattot like us manly men have is ok and some others are nice... you know what I mean...
GREAT IDEA
I have advocated a tattoo across the nose and cheeks that says "child molester" for anyone convicted.
Yes. Since I'm also in favor of mandatory tattoos for each inmate, I figure they ought to be branded as the losers they are - I like your idea of an S (for Stupid)on the forehead.
I agree.
I have to admit. I'm flabbergasted that Canada's prisons would allow something like this.
What an absolutely fu**ing stupid thing to do!
I'm going to sit here in stunned silence for a moment over the fact that a program like this ever saw the light of day in the first place.
>>No more free tattoos? Gee, that's too bad.
What's next? Free condoms?<<
Condoms in prison probably reduce costs whereas tatoos add to costs.
Please send me a FReepmail to get on or off this Canada ping list.
My God, they were paying for tatoos? They must have loved the bad boy criminals...
How? How would condoms in prisons save money?
They only look appealing to a small group of people.
Tattoos stigmatize people in a negative way, so why would they want to impact inmates in a negative way while trying to reform them?
No more free tattoos? Gee, that's too bad.
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