HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-04-24, Page 9Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 24, 1985—Page 9 , °
System of deterrents in chaotic mess: Morgenson
Canada should be a little ashamed of the
number of people it puts in jail for non
violent gimes, says a lecturer and author
on the subject of capital punishment.
Dr. Donald Morgenson, a professor of
psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University,
spoke on capital punishment to members of
Amnesty International's south Bruce
branch at the Lucknow United Church
Tuesday evening.
Canada has one of the highest incarcera-
tion rates in the world, says Dr. Morgen-
son. Almost 61 per cent of people currently
behind bars in Canada are there for non
violent crimes, such as fraud.
"I wish we were not so punitive but more
compassionate," says Dr. Morgenson.
In the Netherlands, persons guilty of non
violent crimes are almost never put in jails,
but are required 'to do community service
work. Dr. Morgenson says if Canada was to.
follow/this route, the jails would be less
crowded and more room would be created
for those guilty of violent crimes.
Since the abolition of capital punishment
in 1976, there has been public concern that
the incidents of violent crime has risen.
But, there has been no statistics to support
that assertion, says Dr. Morgenson.
Thehomicide rate in Canada since the
abolition of capital punishment has remain-
ed low. In 1976, the homocide rate was 2.9
violent deaths per 100,000 people. The
homicide rate declined in 1977 and 1978
with 2.7 and 2.6 violent deaths per 100,000
people respectively. The rate now stands at
1.3 per cent, says Dr. Morgenson.
"There is really no evidence that
suggests that the death penalty has any
affect on dime, he said. "The whole area
of deterrants is in a chaotic mess. We just
don't know what would deter a person from
committing a violent crime."
Dr. Morgenson believes that capital
punishment would not help in respect to
reducing homocide because most murders
are not premeditated. According to recent
statistics, 87 per cent of all the murders in
Canada have been . committed under
emotional circumstances between friends,
brothers and sisters, and mothers and
fathers, he says.
"Capital punishment woul(. have no
deterrent affect on a persofiin a fit of
uncontrollable rage. He doesn't intend to
murder but commits it," he said.
Nevertheless, Dr. Morgenson said he
feels jail sentences are the best way of
dealing with violent criminals sui as
rapists and murderers. He says bringing
back the death penalty is strictly a reaction-
ary method of revenge used to resolve
anxiety in society about violent crimes. He
believes violent programs on T. V. have the
effect of rising fear over violent crimes in
society.
He said he hopes Canada, referring to
Prime Minister Mulroney's election prom-
ise of a free vote on capital punishment,
.doesn't re -instate capital punishment.
"I love Canada and I don't want us to be
a member of a national rogues gallery,"
said Dr. Morgenson, referring to countries Dr. Donald Morgenson, a psychology professor at W ilfrid Laurier University, spoke to the
such as the USA and Iran who still have the south Bruce chapter of Amnesty International on capital punishment at the Lucknow United
death penalty.
Church last Tuesday. (Photo by Alan Rivett)
TRINITY
by Bell Hackett
Lane Gardner, a member of the Huron
County Branch of the Royal Canadian
Naval Association, 'has been helping to
organize a Battle Atlantic Parade in
Goderich next. Sunday. Ship mates from
Goderich, London, Sarnia are planning to
attend in their colour parties, with the
Goderich Laketown Band.
D. A. and Evelyn Hackett, Paul and Lori
Hackett, and Gary Melitzer of Kitchener
attended the christening of Richard, son of
Terry and Joan Hays, at Wroxeter United
Church on Sunday. They all enjoyed dinner
and a visit at Terry and Joan's home for the
afternoon.
Jack and Wanda Miller of Barrie visited
for the 'weekend with Jim and Isabel
Hunter.
Manford and Joan Dierolf enjoyed 10
days holidays .in Germany recently with
their family.
Meeting held
The Locknow and District Horticultural
Society met in the Legion Hall Wednesday,
April 17. President Mary MacGillivray
opened with a poem. The minutes were
read and adopted.
Four delegates were chosen to go to a
convention in Windsor in June. There was
some discussion on flower beds 'and tree
planting. Everyone was asked to remember
the May tea. Members also discussed -
plans for a June trip. Violet Arnold and her
committee of Ruth Pritchard and Bien
Lemoine, who replaced Ella Hackett
because of illness, took over the meeting.
Nancy Quinn was guest speaker. She
spoke on flowers and vegetables, kinds of
plants and where to plant them. A question
period followed.
Heidi Pritchard showed her science fair
project, Growing Conditions for Plants.
Her project took first place at the Brookside
Science Fair and second place at Holmes-
ville. Heidi also favoured the members
with a step dance number.
Ruth read a poem and Violet Arnold
thanked Nancy and Heidi. An enjoyable
lunch was then served.
Introducing ComfortPlus* from Eneroil.
It delivers more comfort on Tess oil...
ComfortPlus features the latest heating technology and is designed to significantly
improve the performance of forced -air oil furnaces. ComfortPlus reclaims most of the heat
that normally escapes up your chimney. This increases the comfort level
of your home and reduces your oil consumption.
Cooled residual Stainless steel heat exchanger
-gases vented to the cores have lifetime warrants.
outside through a
two-inch ABS pipe,
Compact
Comfort Plus
fits into cold -cur .
return -\ small
transition piece
'required on some
furnaces.
Status light tells
at a glance when
Comfort Plus.
is operating.
Comfort Plus is
designed to fit
many oil furnaces.
including the new
Eneroil Comforter*
rno.iel, shoo n 'here.
Comfort Plus
corks Kith flame -
retention burner
/for ex tin greater
cfficicnc}
°'Cc, tMr and 'Cordate' are Trade Marks d Encrod Sala Inc
...and ensures that up to 95c of
every fuel -oil dollar works to heat your home.
iiff's Plumbing & Heating
LUI:Kn V W 528-3913