[Ottawa – April 8, 2010] – This week, we examined public response to the possibility of eliminating federal pension benefits to those in federal prisons. The question asked whether respondents favoured eliminating these benefits altogether, eliminating them for only those prisoners serving life sentences, or continuing to allow all federal inmates to collect pensions.
Even without mentioning the nefarious Clifford Olson, the results show scant willingness for the public to consider the legal or human rights of federal prisoners to receive their federal pensions. Only 17% support the status quo, where prisoners are entitled to receive their federal pensions. Of those who want restrictions, 59% support eliminating these benefits for all federal inmates. The remainder (25%) would only impose these restrictions on those serving life sentences.
The idea that pensions should be withdrawn is more strongly supported amongst CPC supporters but there is limited sympathy for the prisoner rights in any portions of the population. The strength of the public response is a vivid indicator of the “tougher” zeitgeist. It also may reveal the political acumen of the Prime Minister in his ability to raise a previously hidden issue which hits such a resonant chord with the electorate.
Click here for the full report: full_report_april_8
Appealing to a sense of revenge and self righteousness is the hallmark of this PM.Real “tough on crime” measured demonstrably reduce the crime rate. This so called “tough on crime” measure actually will increase the crime rate by insuring that prisoners upon release will be impoverished.The connections between poverty and crime are well known.