THERE has been a recent suggestion that Tasmania should follow the American model of no suspended sentences, mandatory sentencing and lengthier prison sentences.
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A recent study by the American National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences) found that these policies in the US had increased the prison population from 200,000 in 1973 to 2.2 million in 2009 (including local jails) and that the USA now has a quarter of the world's prisoners although only 5 per cent of the world's population.
This has caused a substantial burden on the public purse.
The cause is that media, naturally, reports only major crime, but the public gains the impression this tiny percentage is the average or normal form of crime and so demands tougher sentencing.
Are we in Tasmania going to form policy based on scientifically gathered accurate statistics and the recommendations of experts, or on half-baked misinformed public opinion as in the US?
- ROBERT STONJEK, Kings Meadows.
