Tough on Crime Approach and Its Characteristics in Criminal Justice
The tough on crime approach can be defined as a system where the only response to criminal acts is punishment, and severe punishment at that. Tough on crime approach is considered as a conservative approach to criminal justice and in most cases meant to not only deter crime, but also effectively eliminate the bad elements from the society. Within this approach, the punishment is excessively harsh in that the sentences are relatively longer and the possibility of the death penalty is constantly lurking in each trial. The tough on crime approach to criminal justice does not recognize or appreciate the concept of rehabilitation or corrective incarceration but rather makes examples out of criminals regardless of their circumstances. In essence, the tough on crime approach is a set of policies that make it rather impossible for the criminal to get a second chance regardless of their crime. These policies shun the idea of a reform and thus aim to expel the cancer, that a crime is, from the society, often with little success.
In the Canadian context, the tough on crime approach can be considered as one of the main objectives of Stephen Harper government. The proponents of the tough on crime approach believe that extremely punitive punishments will deter and eventually reduce the rate of crime in the country. Since its ascension to power, the Conservative Government in Canada has been ratifying policies that strengthen punishment as sole response to crime. The government has strengthened three strikes programs, enhanced the quality of life policing and relegated to the periphery rehabilitation programs. The conservative government wants the judiciary to prioritize deterrence through harsh penalties as the only solution to crime.
Characteristics of the tough on crime approach vary depending on the country. The major characteristics however are in line with the inability to consider rehabilitation and correctional procedures for the criminals, harsh sentences for minor crimes and the death penalty for a number of offences. The tough on crime approach to criminal justice considers punishment as the only response to crime, and thus foregoes procedures such as juvenile detention and rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities and parole programs among other significant aspects of criminal justice. This system does not recognize the rights of the accused and in most cases, they are considered as the third class citizens once they break the law.
In addition, this approach prescribes very harsh sentences for crimes that are otherwise labeled victimless and may be given minor terms and alternative sentences that may promote reform and rehabilitation of the criminal. As such, countries that practice this approach are not known to have rehabilitation and correctional facilities for criminals, but rather have prisons where these individuals serve their terms with a high probability of being rearrested once they complete their terms given that they have no opportunities for